House of Representatives Minority Leader Nonoy Libanan is counting on the Senate to support the larger funding allocations for the government’s targeted cash aid programs for poor and low-income families in the proposed 2025 national budget.
“We have very high hopes that the Senate will endorse the P114 billion allocation for the 4Ps, as well as the P39 billion allocation for the AKAP in House Bill No. 10800, or the proposed 2025 General Appropriations Law,” Libanan said.
“Both programs are crucial in advancing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s strategic priorities by providing targeted cash subsidies to help protect vulnerable households from global price increases,” added the 4Ps party-list representative.
“There is ample evidence that government-sponsored cash transfer programs are highly cost-effective in improving the lives of disadvantaged families.”
“There is ample evidence that government-sponsored cash transfer programs are highly cost-effective in improving the lives of disadvantaged families and raising consumption levels,” the veteran legislator said.
A member of the Senate had earlier stated that the AKAP, in particular, “is not a priority program of the President.”
“We beg to disagree. The President clearly supports the AKAP. In fact, he signed the 2024 General Appropriations Law, which allocated P26.7 billion for the AKAP,” the seasoned lawmaker pointed out.
The AKAP, or Ayuda Sa Kapos Ang Kita Program (AKAP), provides cash assistance to minimum wage earners in the low-income category who are severely affected by rising inflation.
The 4Ps, or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, provides cash grants to 4.4 million households on the condition that parents attend family development sessions, ensure their children receive regular health check-ups, and keep them enrolled in school.
“Next year’s 4Ps allocation would cover additional cash grants for pregnant women until the child turns two years old.”
He also noted that next year’s 4Ps allocation would cover additional cash grants for pregnant women until the child turns two years old.
“The 4Ps cash grants have alleviated poverty, increased school participation, reduced child labor, and improved access to health and nutrition services for mothers and children,” Libanan concluded.
