MANILA — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has expressed respect for the legislative branch’s decision regarding the potential removal of funds for the Ayuda sa Kapos sa Ayuda Program (AKAP) from the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

In an interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo, DSWD spokesperson Asec. Irene Dumlao said the agency would follow whatever is decided by the Senate Finance Committee.

“Ginagalang naman po natin ang mga aksyon ng Legilsative branch of the government. So kung ano man po yung mapagdesisyunan nila and mai-reflect dun sa ating General Appropriations Act for 2025, ‘yun po ay titiyakin na susundin ng DSWD,” Dumlao said, emphasizing that the DSWD’s role is to implement programs based on the approved budget.

Dumlao explained that in the event the AKAP will be discontinued, alternative assistance programs, like assistance to individuals in crisis situtations will continue to be available.

“Meron pa naman pong ibang mga programa at serbisyo ang DSWD na maaari po nating gamitin at ipatupad para ma cater itong mga kabilang sa sektor na ito kagaya nga nung assistance to individuals in crisis situations,” she added.

Meanwhile, the DSWD is intensifying its disaster response efforts following Typhoon Nika, continuing to deliver aid to those affected by recent natural calamities.

“Nagpapatuloy ang sinasagawa na disaster response operations ng atin pong ahensya as part of our augmentation support to the local government units… actually, nagpapatuloy pa po tayo na nagpapahatid ng tulong sa mga naapektuhan ng bagyong Marce ay ngayon ay nag po-proceed na tayo sa pagbigay naman ng bagyong Nika,” the DSWD spokesperson noted.

According to Dumlao, as of 6:00 p.m. Monday, over 2,100 families, or more than 6,000 people, have sought shelter in evacuation centers across Regions 1, 2, 3, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

“Dito naman po sa bagyong Nika, based on our monitoring as of 6:00 PM tonight, nasa 2,100 families or mahigit 6,000 na mga katao ang pansamantala ay nanunuluyan sa mga evacuation centers na matatagpuan po dito sa Region 1, 2, 3, and Region CAR. Ngayon po, yung initial humanitarian assistance ay nanggaling po sa mga local government units but the DSWD has preposisitoned goods in these 3 regions,” Dumlao said.

In response, the DSWD has prepositioned over 220,000 family food packs in these regions to support local government units (LGUs) and meet the immediate needs of displaced families.

“Nasa mahigit 220,000 family food packs yung naka preposition sa [apat] na region na ‘yan no. Region 1, 2, 3, and CAR,” she added.

“Kahapon nga ay nakapagpadala tayo ng karagdagan 10,000 family food packs diyan po sa probinsya ng Aurora. May warehouse kasi tayo diyan– that is to reinforce ano yung stockpiles natin. And kanina nga po ay nakapagpadala tayo ng inisyal na 1,000 family food packs dito po sa Dilasag para inisyal na tulong para sa mga naapektuhan.”

“Gayundin po meron tayong mga pinadala rin na mga nasa mahigit 3,000 family food packs sa Dipaculao. 1,543 food packs naman sa Dingalan, and then sa Maria Aurora nasa 1,600 family food packs yung ating prepositioned dun.”

She explained that the distribution of relief goods follows a well-coordinated process where LGUs are the first responders. The DSWD steps in to augment resources once local stocks run low.

“As soon as the requests come in, pino-provide po ‘yan ng DSWD. In fact, before pa nga po mag request ang mga local government units ay nag re-reach out na tayo sa ating mga local counterparts and assuring them that they could easily access yun pong mga family food packs natin,” she said.

Each family food pack contains 6 kilograms of rice, 10 assorted canned goods, instant coffee, and chocolate drink sachets–sufficient for a family of five for 2-3 days.

The DSWD also provides non-food items such as hygiene kits, kitchen kits, and drinking water to those staying in evacuation centers.

Dumlao also shared that in the early recovery phase, the DSWD is conducting rapid assessments to identify further assistance needs, such as financial aid under the Emergency Cash Transfer Program and cash-for-work initiatives aimed at rebuilding communities.