By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Apparently piqued by the suspicion of some senators that the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) was being used in the controversial people’s initiative (PI) campaign, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Tuesday said he is ready to face Congress to defend the P26.7 billion social assistance program for the near poor.
“Ako, I’ve always said this: Matagal na naming gusto iyan sa departamento. And if I am invited in any of the chambers, whether Congress or the Senate, I would gladly explain the rationale why we like a program for the near poor,” Gatchalian said in Malacañang briefing.
He noted that the P26.7 billion social assistance program, which aims to aid minimum wage earners or the “near-poor,” was a welcome addition to the DSWD budget.
“Gusto naming ipaliwanag kung bakit mahalaga magkaroon ng ganitong klaseng ayuda para sa ating mga minimum wage earners… Sila iyong tumutulong sa ating ekonomiya, pero sa oras ng kanilang pangangailangan, saan sila kakapit? Ang gobyerno kailangan responsive, and palagay ko ay panahon na para mabigyan sila ng atensyon,” Gatchalian said.
The DSWD stressed that the department has yet to spend a single centavo of the AKAP program as they are still crafting its guidelines.
He also gave assurance that the guidelines will adhere strictly to the special provision of the law, which is to protect minimum wage earners.
(el Amigo/MNM)
