MANILA: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has expressed approval for the reinstatement of the budget for the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), as confirmed on Thursday. The bicameral conference committee recently approved the final iteration of House of Representatives Bill 10800, which outlines a proposed PHP6.352 trillion national budget for 2025, inclusive of the PHP26 billion restored for AKAP. According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, highlighted the department's satisfaction with the assurance of budget allocation, emphasizing its importance for the uninterrupted delivery of social welfare services. Dumlao noted the program's continuation ensures that beneficiaries will keep receiving the essential support provided by AKAP. In its initial year, spanning January to October 2024, the AKAP initiative successfully aided over 4 million Filipinos nearing the poverty line. Dumlao extended gratitude to legislators for their ongo ing backing of DSWD programs, while underscoring the necessity for the General Appropriation Act's approval to finalize the budget implementation. The AKAP program is designed to offer a one-time cash assistance to qualified individuals whose earnings are below the established poverty threshold.