2024 budget to include P450-B aid to poor families

At least P450 billion in financial assistance for poor and low-income families is included in the P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024, according to Speaker Martin Romualdez.

- Delon Porcalla, Cecille Suerte Felipe

He said Congress has allocated a total of P300 billion for 12 million poor and 48 million low-income families who would be getting a one-time cash assistance of P5,000 each from the government.

The cash aid dubbed AKAP or Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita was conceptualized by the House leadership, along with Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, who chairs the House appropriations committee.

“It aims to provide direct cash assistance to those earning up to P23,000 per month. At least 12 million households will benefit from the program, including low-income workers in construction and factories, drivers, food service crew and the like,” Romualdez said.

“If the program is successful, we can continue implementing it next year,” he added.