A TOTAL of P139,812,000 has been granted as financial aid to some 29,906 beneficiaries in Davao City, Davao de Oro, and Davao del Norte over the last four days under the flagship welfare program of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP).
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, together with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Rex Gatchalian and local partners, successfully conducted a four-day AKAP payout from October 18 to 21 in Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro and Davao City upon the instruction of President Marcos to support low-income and vulnerable residents.
The payout kicked off on Friday in Tagum City Davao del Norte, followed by events in Davao de Oro over the weekend, and culminated in Davao City on Monday, where former Civil Service Commission chair Karlo Nograles led the distribution.
Nograles served as the local coordinator for the Davao City payout, which provided P14.5 million in aid to 4,859 beneficiaries.
Speaker Romualdez emphasized that this initiative is a testament to the administration’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of Davaoeños.
“Malasakit at pagmamahal ni Pangulong Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. ang siyang nagtutulak sa amin para tiyaking ang bawat Pilipino, lalo na ang mga taga-Davao, ay hindi napapabayaan. Patuloy po kaming magtatrabaho upang masiguro na nasa mabuting kalagayan ang inyong kabuhayan,” said Speaker Romualdez.
“Sa utos ni Pangulong Marcos at sa pamumuno ni Speaker Romualdez, nais naming tiyakin na makarating ang tulong sa mga higit na nangangailangan. Ang AKAP program ay tugon para makatulong sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na gastusin,” the leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives added.
According to Deputy Secretary General Sofonias “Ponyong” P. Gabonada, the four-day event highlighted the Marcos administration’s focus on providing timely assistance to marginalized sectors, especially in economically disadvantaged communities.
Gabonada said the distribution in Davao del Norte, held on October 18, saw a total of P48,625,000 in cash aid granted to 9,725 beneficiaries, each receiving P5,000.
These beneficiaries included teachers, non-teaching school personnel, mall employees, private hospital staff, and other low-income residents.
Local officials, including Vice Governor Oyo Uy and Representative Alan Dujali, played pivotal roles in ensuring that the distribution was efficiently carried out.
Gabonada added that over the weekend, October 19 and 20, the AKAP distribution moved to Davao de Oro, where a total of P76,610,000 was distributed to 15,322 beneficiaries, also at P5,000 per recipient.
Beneficiaries in this area included barangay workers, school personnel, and other low-income earners.
Financially-challenged students were also beneficiaries of the payouts thru the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).
Local leaders such as Rep. Maricar Zamora, Councilor Myrill Apit of Mawab, Vice Mayor Honeyboy Libuangan of Laak, and other community leaders from Maco, Mabini, and Nabunturan were instrumental in facilitating the smooth conduct of the payout in the province.
“Nakita natin ang pagtutulungan ng national at local government upang masigurong mabilis at maayos ang distribusyon ng tulong sa Davao de Oro,” Gabonada said.
On the final day, Oct. 21, the payout in Davao City, led by Nograles, provided P14,577,000 in cash aid to 4,859 beneficiaries. Each recipient received P3,000. The beneficiaries primarily consisted of low-income residents struggling to meet their daily needs.
“Ang inyong kapakanan ang laging nasa isip ni Pangulong Marcos. Kaya patuloy po tayong magtutulungan upang masiguro na maipagkaloob ang mga kinakailangang ayuda, lalo na sa mga tulad ninyo na higit na nangangailangan,” Nograles said.
Speaker Romualdez credited the success of the AKAP distribution to the close collaboration between the national government and local officials.
In Davao City, Nograles worked closely with Speaker Romualdez to ensure that the assistance reached the intended beneficiaries.
“Napakahalaga ng suporta ng mga lokal na lider tulad ni Atty. Karlo Nograles upang maging matagumpay ang mga ganitong proyekto,” Speaker Romualdez noted.
Nograles expressed gratitude for the national government’s focus on the welfare of Davaoeños.
“Lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa administrasyon ni Pangulong Marcos at kay Speaker Romualdez sa kanilang malasakit at suporta sa mga Davaoeños. Sa tulong ng AKAP, mas marami ang natutulungan sa ating mga kababayan dito sa Davao City,” Nograles said.
With the success of the AKAP payout in Davao provinces, Speaker Romualdez assured that the government will continue to expand its efforts in delivering financial aid and other forms of support to ensure the recovery and development of local communities.
“Patuloy kaming maghahatid ng tulong sa mga komunidad na higit na nangangailangan, lalo na sa mga probinsya ng Davao. Ang ating administrasyon ay nakatuon sa pagbibigay ng pangmatagalang solusyon para sa ikauunlad ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” Speaker Romualdez said.
