In a bid to ameliorate economic pressures, Pangasinan’s marginalized sectors are receiving crucial support through the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP). Thousands across five towns in the Sixth District, including San Nicolas, Natividad, Tayug, San Quintin, and Umingan, have been granted P3,000 each to meet their urgent needs amid rising living costs.
The AKAP initiative, a collaborative effort by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, alongside Congresswoman Marlyn Agabas and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), targets vendors, solo parents, and minimum wage earners. The program not only offers immediate relief to these vulnerable groups but also represents a broader commitment to economic resilience amid inflation.
Local leaders such as Congresswoman Agabas, San Nicolas Mayor Alice Pulido, and Tayug Mayor Tyrone Agabas played essential roles in organizing the distribution, ensuring orderly procedures allowed equitable access to aid. They underscored the program’s aspirations beyond short-term relief—a vision for enhancing the long-term financial stability of those often overlooked by policy interventions.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian highlighted the AKAP Program’s strategic importance in safeguarding purchasing power as prices climb. “This initiative is vital for maintaining the quality of life for our low-income citizens,” Gatchalian remarked, pointing out its design to reinforce social protection frameworks under challenging conditions.
Funded by the General Appropriations Act of 2024, with a budget of Php26.7 billion, AKAP is poised to become a fundamental pillar of the country’s social safety net. Policymakers are advocating for its permanence, stressing its role in cushioning systemic economic vulnerabilities. With continued support from both local and national spheres, the program symbolizes optimism for those grappling with financial uncertainty in Pangasinan and beyond.
PHOTO CREDIT: San Nicolas, Pangasinan My Home My Pride
