Comelec exempts P12.6-B AKAP funds from poll spending ban

Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has granted the new request of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to exempt its Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (Akap) from the election spending ban. 

In a memorandum order approved by Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia dated February 20, 2025 but was sent to the media on Tuesday, the poll body exempted the P12,633,600,000 in Akap funds from the release, disbursement and spending of public funds.

The order pertains to the January 16, 2025 request of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

The Comelec granted the DSWD’s previous request tospare the P882 million worth of Akap funding, and its 27 other programs, from the election spending ban.

The Omnibus Election Code prohibits the distribution of social services or cash assistance 45 days before a regular election. 

The order, however, stated that the request for exemption “shall not involve the distribution of Ayuda, TUPAD [Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers], AKAP, AICS [Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations] and 4Ps [Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program] from 02 May 2025 (Friday) to 12 May 2025 (Monday) except medical and burial assistance which are normally given to qualified individuals.”

It added that no incumbent officials, aspirants, or candidates shall be present in the distribution of Akap and other social services.

The Comelec recently received the implementing guidelines of Akap. However, Garcia clarified that the guidelines will be used for the first AKAP request. 

The other DSWD programs granted exemption are the following:

• Sustainable Livelihood Program (P216,125,000)
• Services for Residential and Center-based Clients (P2,125,467,125.25)
• Supplementary Feeding Program (P1,187,351,574.08)
• Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (15,371,768,260.74)
• Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances – PROPER (P5,400,000)
• Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (P1,232,000)
• Assistance to Persons with Disability and Senior Citizens (1,499,575)
• LAWA and BINHI Project (Local Adaptation to Water Access-Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) (P503,608,723)
• KALAHI-CIDSS-KKB for Community Driven and Development (CDD) projects and Cash for Work (CFW) programs (P98,386,122)
• Philippines Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Project  (P28,287,223.85)
• Liwanag at Tubig Assistance Welfare (P100,000,000)