Distribution of payouts for the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP)
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.
