To supplement poor workers’ small earnings, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan and Congresswoman Cindi King-Chan led the distribution of payouts for the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) on Monday, June 24, 2024.

 

With the program's theme, "AKAPin natin ang Bagong Pilipinas," the second batch covers 1,572 beneficiaries, each receiving P3,000 from the city’s 30 barangays.

 

Congresswoman Cindi’s continuous follow-up resulted in the release of P4.716 million from the national government’s coffers through DSWD, intended for Lapu-Lapu City beneficiaries.

 

“Ang AKAP mao ang pinaka-bag-ong programa sa atong gobyerno nga gipangulohan ni President Bongbong Marcos, atong House Speaker Martin Romualdez, kaming mga miyembro sa Congress, nga gipangtagaan ani, og kami ang mohatag kaninyong tanan,” Cong. Cindi said.

 

She added that AKAP gives financial assistance to those families, especially low-income earners and those who find it hard to survive.

 

“Mao ni ang pamatuod nga gobyerno tinuod nga nagpakabana sa katawhan nga gusto namo molambo ang tanan,” the congresswoman said.

The AKAP distribution was held at the Hoops Dome, assisted by city and barangay workers.

 

The distribution, assisted by the DSWD Regional Field Office 7 headed by Sandra Monterona, was grouped into four categories, comprising 713 vendors, 472 rope makers, 329 rug makers, and 58 displaced laborers.

 

Before Monday’s distribution, each beneficiary underwent an interview and assessment by social workers before their names were included in the master list.

 

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian elaborated on the purpose of AKAP.

 

“Sa pagpapalakas at pagprotekta sa kakayanan ng ating mga mamamayan na mabili ang pang-araw-araw nilang gastusin. Ang AKAP ay isang bagong programa na inatas ng DSWD na ang layunin ay magbigay ng tulong sa mga Pilipinong tinuturing na minimum wage earners, mahihirap o near poor, at mga nasa impormal na ekonomiya. Layunin din ng programang ito na magsilbing proteksyon para sa mga benepisyaryong unang naapektuhan ng pang-araw-araw na kabuhayan dulot ng pabago-bagong sitwasyon ng ekonomiya,” Gatchalian said in his virtual presence.

Following the words of the House of Representatives 19th Congress, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who spearheaded the initiatives of the program, explained the importance of these resources as they bring opportunities to provide hope to Filipinos, especially during times of inflation and economic scarcity.

 

“Ang AKAP ay para sa lahat ng pamilyang Pilipino na kumikita ng minimum wage o mas mababa pa. Layunin nito na matulungan silang makaraos sa araw-araw lalo na sa pagbili ng pagkain at sa iba pang mahalagang gastusin,” he said.

“Sa pamamagitan ng AKAP, masisiguro natin na kahit sa panahon ng krisis, walang Pilipinong maiiwan. Ito ang misyon na ibinigay sa akin ng Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr., ang tiyakin na ang bawat Pilipino ay may maaasahang kakampi na handang umalalay sa anumang panahon,” he added.

 

Mayor Chan said AKAP is not Cong. Cindi’s only program for the poor.

 

There is AICS or Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situations; TUPAD or Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers; SLP or Sustainable Livelihood Program; scholarship programs for the poor and deserving students; and financial assistance to those in need of medical attention.

 

“Duna nay programa si Cong. Cindi nga mohatag og financial medical assistance ngadto sa mga nanginahanglan, abagan sa syudad sa Lapu-Lapu nga paningkamutan nga mag zero billing ang atong mga kaigsuonan,” the mayor said.

 

AKAP beneficiaries are all thankful to Cong. Cindi and Mayor Chan.

 

“Daghang salamat Cong. Cindi aning dugang puhunan para namo nga naninda og balut,” said 47-year-old Michael Angano from Barangay Subabasbas.

 

Angano is a person with a disability (PWD) who still managed to do regular rounds of selling balut aboard his bicycle.

 

He faces challenges with his leg disability just to put food on the table for his wife and four children.

 

“Unta padayon ka sa pagtabang sa among mga pobre Cong. Cindi,” said Mari Chris Zafra, 35, who also sells balut in Tamiya terminal with his 33-year-old husband Leo Mar Zafra.

 

Leo Mar is an orthopedic PWD.

 

The Zafra couple, from Barangay Basak, must sell balut very late at night, even in heavy rain, to survive with their four children.

“Walay humong ang serbisyo sa Chan Administration, uban ni Cong. Cindi and the rest, kami na lang moingon kaninyo sa kanunay anaa ra mi sa inyong kiliran, andam ug tagana nga motabang para sa kaayuhan ug kalambuan sa atong pinalanggang dakbayan,” Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Chan said.

 

Despite the rain shower, the ribbon-cutting ceremony and official turnover of the road improvement project—which includes new drainage facilities and solar streetlights along Soong Road in Barangays Bankal and Mactan, as well as Fuentes Road from Barangay Pajac to Barangay Agus—were successfully held last night, June 24, 2024.

 

The P100 million project, one of the priority initiatives of Congresswoman Cindi King-Chan, was completed after a year.

 

Congresswoman Cindi expressed her delight at the transformation of the area, adding that what were once dark areas are now well-lit. The improved drainage system has also played a crucial role in preventing flooding, a significant relief now that the rainy season has begun.

 

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan led the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, joined by Congresswoman Cindi. The mayor and the congresswoman conducted an ocular inspection and noted the drainage system's effectiveness in managing the frequent rains, thereby preventing flooding.

 

The event was attended by city councilors, other barangay captains and officials, DPWH 6th District Engineering Office and representatives of the contractor. The ceremony concluded with a vibrant fireworks display, marking the successful completion of the project.

 

Mayor Chan said that these improvements align with the Chan administration's commitment to enhancing the infrastructure and quality of life for the residents of Lapu-Lapu City. Congresswoman Cindi added that her office will continue to seek funding for more infrastructure projects to further improve the city.

Another 45 Olango Island scholars who graduated from the Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC I (SMAW), a livelihood training program of Lapu-Lapu City endorsed by the House of Representatives Office of Congresswoman Cindi King-Chan in collaboration with the Lapu-Lapu City Government and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Region 7, have testified to the progress of their work and mastery of skills in the livelihood training programs. They expressed gratitude for the toolkit welding sets they received after their graduation.

 

The turnover ceremony was held yesterday at Mini City Hall Gym, Brgy. Talima, Olango Island, on June 27, 2024.

 

The total beneficiaries were 70 individuals, including 45 from Olango Island and another 25 from the mainland, who are set to receive their toolkits later in July upon the availability of schedules that the office will meet.

 

These graduates, who come from the 30 barangays, underwent a one-month short course of training and can now utilize their learned skills in their livelihood endeavors.

According to the statistics of TESDA based on the transparency report, as of February 2024, the government has allocated over 1.4 million pesos for SMAW NC I training to reach the goal of continuing sustainable livelihood programs in Lapu-Lapu City.

 

The office of Cong. Cindi is also committed to providing the needs of every individual who seeks assistance in terms of finding job opportunities and sources of living.

 

Together with the efforts of Cong. Chan, Lapu-Lapu City Government and TESDA, the call for this year’s profiles will soon be released for another batch to enroll. Ensuring fair and transparent public service, the initiatives of this program will help people build confidence through collaborative livelihood opportunities.

 

The government’s partnership with Saint James Academy of Skills Technology and Training has empowered an effective and efficient platform for citizens seeking assistance in their vocational pursuits. Trained individuals will be subject to endorsements to various companies for job offers.