DSWD-10 set to launch financial aid program for low-income earners

MindanaoToday.com | DSWD-10 set to launch financial aid program for low-income earners

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-10 will join the nationwide launch of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) on May 18 in Barangay Nazareth, here.

The department expects a total of 42,000 low-income minimum-wage earners across the five provinces of northern Mindanao to receive financial assistance.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10’s Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB) reports that Northern Mindanao’s standard daily wage is currently P428, or a monthly minimum wage income of P11,128, making it classified as low income.

The AKAP, which aims to implement and provide financial assistance to minimum wage earners, may target workers who fall into this category.

DSWD-10 Regional Director Ramel F. Jamen emphasizes that citizens do not need to visit DSWD offices to apply, since there will be no walk-in application. Instead, with the help of various partners, DSWD will proactively reach out to the different sectors and associations of minimum wage earners.

“Atong balik lantawon ang atong nakat-onan sa educational assistance—kini ang AKAP limitado usab ang pondo ug sa tinuoray nga pagkaistorya dili niini ma-cover ang tanan low-income earners sa Rehiyon 10. Atong likayan ang dumog sa katawhan diin makahatag og peligro ,” said Jamen.

(We must revisit the lessons learned from our educational assistance program-AKAP in the same vein, has limited funds, and in reality, not all low-income earners in Region 10 will be covered. We must avoid overcrowding where there’s potential danger to people’s safety.)

Jamen also emphasized that they may not be able to provide for everyone, but DSWD-10 would ensure that the beneficiaries of AKAP are truly deserving and qualified for assistance.

“Ang DSWD Field Office 10, magbuhat og validation, and the authorized bodies sama sa LSWDOS, barangay, employers, ug uban pang ahensya sa gobyerno, magpamatuod pinaagi sa certification nga ang beneficiaries kwalipikado nga makadawat sa AKAP,” he said.

(DSWD Field Office 10 will conduct validation with authorized bodies such as LSWDOS, barangays, employers, and other government agencies to ensure that beneficiaries are indeed eligible to receive AKAP assistance through certification.)

Before receiving assistance, an individual must obtain certification from authorities that they belong to the low-income minimum wage earner category.

For his part, DSWD-10 Crisis Intervention Section Chief Mark Anthony Viernes said that the AKAP is part of the government’s efforts to address inflation and protect the purchasing power of Filipino families, especially the most vulnerable sectors, ensuring they can meet their basic needs despite the economic challenges posed by rising inflation. (SAYU/PIA-10)

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