DSWD simplifies AKAP guidelines for target beneficiaries

Philippine News Agency

AID FOR MINIMUM WAGE EARNERS. Hundreds of beneficiaries of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) queue up to obtain financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Davao City on Sept. 4, 2024. More than 4 million low income and minimum wage earners nationwide, including farmers, fisherfolk and other sectors from the informal economy, have benefitted from AKAP as of November 30, 2024. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)

MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has simplified the guidelines for the target beneficiaries under the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), which include low-income and minimum-wage earners.

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the simplified AKAP guidelines are stipulated in the Department’s Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 30 series of 2024 signed by Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Aug. 9.

“The MC makes the program’s implementation more inclusive to cover those engaged in both the formal and informal economy,” Dumlao said in a news release on Thursday.

She explained that the guidelines simplified the list of documentary requirements to facilitate a more systematic review and verification of clients’ eligibility.

To establish eligibility as a minimum wage earner or low-income earner under the formal economy, applicants may present any of the following documents issued within the last three months: duly signed Contract of Employment; Certificate of Employment with Compensation (COE); an Income Tax Return (ITR) or Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Form 2316; duly signed Audited Financial Statement, or a Certificate of Tax Exemption.

For AKAP beneficiaries from the informal economy, the applicant must present any of the following: a certification from a direct employer; certification from government offices recognizing certain sectors or groups; association certification; business permit or barangay certification in case of small business owners.

A Social Case Summary or Social Case Study Report from the Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO) or signed by any registered social worker; certificate of attestation; or notarized affidavit of low income which may be applicable, may also be presented.

“Other relevant documents are also required depending on the type of assistance needed in addition to the basic requirements establishing the eligibility of the clients,” Dumlao said.

The menu of assistance under the AKAP includes medical, funeral, food, and cash relief which are provided directly through the Crisis Intervention Units/Sections (CIU/S) of the Department at both Central and Field Offices and through the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) and Satellite Offices across the country.

The assistance to be provided under the AKAP may be in the form of cash or a guarantee letter (GL).

The AKAP can also be implemented in partnership with local government units (LGUs) at the provincial, municipal, city, or barangay level.

The provided assistance is called “Rice Assistance” which beneficiaries can use to purchase rice to meet their nutritional requirements for sustenance.

”However, it is also clearly stated in the guidelines that a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the LGU and the DSWD is required. This is one of our measures to ensure that the funds are used with transparency and in line with its intended purpose,” Dumlao emphasized.

A beneficiary of the Rice Assistance through the LGUs may still qualify to receive the other types of assistance (medical, funeral, or cash relief) subject to the professional assessment of the DSWD social worker and availability of funds.

More than 4 million low income and minimum wage earners nationwide, including farmers, fisherfolk and other sectors from the informal economy, have benefitted from AKAP as of November this year.