Manila: Lawmakers are pushing to expand the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) after a recent survey showed strong public support for the government's financial aid initiative. In a press briefing Monday, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the OCTA Research survey showing that 69 percent of adult Filipinos support the continuation and expansion of AKAP is a validation of the program's effectiveness.

According to Philippines News Agency, Adiong emphasized that the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains committed to bringing government services closer to the people. He noted the high percentage of survey respondents supporting AKAP as indicative of the program's efficient aid distribution.

Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. stated that strengthening AKAP is essential to address the struggles faced by Filipinos and ensure that no one is left behind. He urged national leaders to listen to the public's call for faster and more efficient aid distribution.

Deputy Speaker David Suarez highlighted the need for lawmakers to focus on improving the aid program rather than engaging in political disputes. He argued that the benefits of AKAP are evident despite attempts to discredit it.

House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe called for collaborative efforts to enhance AKAP's implementation. He urged for unity to expedite aid distribution, emphasizing that every Filipino deserves to feel genuine care from the government.

The OCTA Research survey, conducted from Jan. 25 to 31, 2025, involved 1,200 face-to-face interviews with a diverse group of respondents across Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, with a ±3% margin of error nationally and a ±6% margin on subnational estimates.