A socioeconomic official said on Monday that the executive branch is making every effort to ensure that the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) will be “well-targeted” and “transparent.”
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. previously placed the program’s funding under conditional implementation to “ensure that the people’s funds are utilized in accordance with their authorized and stated purpose.”
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) undersecretary Rosemary Edillon echoed the president’s sentiments, stating that they want AKAP to be both well-targeted and transparent to ensure accountability in the event of any mishandling.
“Gusto natin masiguro na well-targeted siya at magiging transparent yung delivery noong programang iyon… na magkakaroon ng greater accountability,” Edillon said.
“I-kla-klaro natin kung ano ang magiging conditions, ano ang mga requirements na kailangang ipakita, pruweba na nakuha nila yung benepisyo na iyon,” she added.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman explained that a key requirement for the release of AKAP funds is the issuance of the program’s guidelines by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and NEDA.
“Para maging consistent iyong pagbibigay ng AKAP doon po sa gusto nating mangyari, doon sa tamang recipients, hindi po magkadoble-doble iyong binibigay natin na mga cash assistance,” Pangandaman said.
The program sparked controversy after Vice President Sara Duterte claimed that its funds were being used by congressmen to buy votes for the upcoming elections.
“Nakita natin na buo ang resolve ng pamahalaan… just to make sure na mayroon tayong mapasa na budget,” Edillon said.
“Iyung mga ginawang pagrepaso sa budget, binusisi talaga, tiningnan talaga kung aligned ba talaga sa priorities… (kung) implementation ready ba ito,” she added.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, meanwhile, addressed concerns about potential political interference in the implementation of AKAP, amid criticisms that it could be seen as a form of pork barrel.
“Don’t be naive. Always sa life natin dito sa Philippines, there must be somebody to initiate. That is the thinking about this. We must be broad minded about it,” Bersamin said.
“We can check that. That is why people who notice that, they can complain then we will go to investigate… Our law presumes good faith in everyone. All actions in good faith. Kung may bad faith, that is where you come now, kayong media or kayong mga tao na aggrieved,” he added.