By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Imee Marcos revealed that billions of pesos meant for pensioners and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were removed and transferred to Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
In the 2024 General Appropriations Act, the Pension and Gratuity Fund had an allocation of P253 billion in the National Expenditure Program decreased to P143 billion.
Meanwhile, P5.4 billion was deducted from the funds of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the funds allocated to the flagship projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were completely removed.
The senator made it clear that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had nothing to do with the controversial new program of the DSWD.
“The President did not mention AKAP in the NEP, nor was it in the bicameral version of the [General Appropriations Act], yet it appeared in the final, printed version,” Marcos emphasized.
AKAP had P26.7 billion in national funds this year.
Marcos added that in addition to the P33 billion inserted by the House members, saying that AKAP has a total fund of almost P60 billion.
(el Amigo/MNM)
