DSWD6 rolls out AKAP for 20K near poor families in WV, aims to release P60.9M aid

Iloilo The DSWD Field Office VI rolls out today the AKAP or Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program in Western Visayas targeting to disburse P60.9 million to the near poor families.

In the region alone, the department is releasing P3,000 cash assistance to 20,311 near poor families in 16 sites spread across the Provinces. There are other areas where payout will be conducted in the following days.

AKAP is targeted to help beneficiaries who are in the low income category such as those whose income do not exceed the statutory minimum wage.

“We are glad that this time, the near poor, who are also contributing in our economy, get the assistance from the government. This is the sector that we do not want to fall back to poverty due to economic shocks such as the inflation nowadays,” said Atty. Carmelo N. Nochete, Regional Director.

If broken down, there are 5,222 families as target in Iloilo; 7,440 in Negros Occidental; 1,731 in Aklan; 3,414 in Capiz and 2,504 in Antique. AKAP The AKAP or Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program is the national government’s response to help the near poor families affected by inflation, which is the increase in the prices of goods and services. It aims to protect the purchasing power of the Filipino families, specifically targeting beneficiaries whose income do not exceed the statutory minimum wage and are severely affected by the rising inflation and actually need the assistance.

Households receiving regular assistance under 4Ps and Social Pension are not qualified for the program. A total of P26.7 billion has been earmarked for AKAP’s implementation in the country this 2024.

In Western Visayas, implementation is spearheaded by the Director, along with Assistant Regional Directors Arwin Razo and Joselito Estember, Protective Services Division Chief Katherine Joy Lamprea, Crisis Intervention Section Chief Beverly Salazar with Division Chiefs and Team Leaders in the Provinces in partnership with Local Government Units./dswd6