Camille Naredo

Residents of Bataan Shipping and Engineering Company (BASECO) compound wait for the distribution of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) relief boxes as they attend the NTF-ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) officers hold a public service, ‘Serbisyo’ Caravan for the Benefit of 500 Residents of Baseco Compound, at the Ninoy Aquino Elementary School, Baseco Compound, Port Area, Manila on June 28, 2022. 

Residents of Bataan Shipping and Engineering Company (BASECO) compound wait for the distribution of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) relief boxes as they attend the NTF-ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) officers hold a public service, ‘Serbisyo’ Caravan for the Benefit of 500 Residents of Baseco Compound, at the Ninoy Aquino Elementary School, Baseco Compound, Port Area, Manila on June 28, 2022. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development assured the public that their Ayuda Para sa Kapos sa Kita (AKAP) program will continue despite having no proposed budget allocation for 2026.</p><p>Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the social welfare department still has funds they can utilize until next year.</p><p>&quot;Hindi po natin napondohan ang 2026 National Expenditure Program ang AKAP. Meron pa pong natitirang pondo ang AKAP, siguro to date, P11 billion still, magagamit pa yan sa susunod na taon,&quot; she said.</p><p>(We did not fund AKAP in the 2026 National Expenditure Program. They still have 11 billion pesos which they can use until next year.)</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/8/13/zero-funding-eyed-for-akap-in-2026-flood-control-to-get-p274-9-b-2026">READ: Zero funding eyed for AKAP in 2026; flood control to get P274.9-B</a></div><p>The AKAP program became controversial as some lawmakers tagged it as the new &#x27;pork&#x27; for government officials.</p><p>But the DSWD earlier defended that they have the sole authority to give it out as social assistance for marginalized people who are having difficulties in everyday expenses.</p><p>Gatchalian says the program will continue as they still have P11 billion.</p><p>&quot;Yung programa, hindi naman matatapos. Yung programa bahagi pa rin ng menu ng programa namin,&quot; he said.</p><p>(The program will not stop, it will still be part of our menu of programs.)</p><p>He also pointed out that there are still other social assistance programs for people in need, such as the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), and they also give out emergency cash transfers for victims of calamities.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/18/anti-poverty-chief-wants-to-prioritize-4ps-over-akap-1610">READ: Anti-poverty chief wants to prioritize 4Ps over AKAP</a></div><p>P220 billion has been allocated for the DSWD for 2026.</p><p>&quot;We leave it to the Congress kung gusto lagyan ng pondo ang AKAP for 2026,&quot; Pangandaman said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3ltoqLyySe0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Department of Social Welfare and Development assured the public that their Ayuda Para sa Kapos sa Kita (AKAP) program will continue despite having no proposed budget allocation for 2026.</p>

The Department of Social Welfare and Development assured the public that their Ayuda Para sa Kapos sa Kita (AKAP) program will continue despite having no proposed budget allocation for 2026.

AKAP program to continue despite zero proposed budget in 2026: DSWD

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AKAP program to continue despite zero proposed budget in 2026: DSWD

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 19, 2025 12:50 PM PHT

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Department of Social Welfare and Development

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Department of Budget and Management

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Ayuda Para sa Kapos sa Kita

AKAP

social assistance

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