The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released a total of PHP62.8 million benefitting 20,942 near-poor families in Western Visayas during the launching of the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

“AKAP is for low-income earners, particularly those who are receiving minimum wage rate so that they will not fall back to poverty when they experience economic shocks,” said Lawyer Carmelo N. Nochete, Regional Director of DSWD Field Office VI, in a statement Sunday afternoon.

The recipients receiving PHP3,000 each included 4,078 in Iloilo; 9,781 in Negros Occidental; 1,440 in Aklan; 2,394 in Antique; 3,249 in Capiz.

Several areas in Guimaras and Iloilo are yet to receive their cash aid as they still undergo deduplication to ensure they are not enrolled with the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) or the social pension for the elderly.

The department targeted 24,476 recipients totaling PHP73.4 million during the national simultaneous launch held over the weekend.

“Now at almost 80 percent of the target disbursement for the launching alone, the agency aims to immediately complete the distribution by conducting the remaining payouts for Guimaras and some areas in Iloilo,” the DSWD statement said.

One of the recipients, a 46-year-old driver who requested anonymity, said the program is a big help from the Marcos administration amid the current economic situation.

He has been a driver for over 10 years, and based on experience, they also have no income when there is no work.

Clarisa Mae Dolliguez, 32, said she was happy to be included among the recipients adding that she would use the funds to buy milk for her two babies. (PNA)