MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos administration has excluded the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) from the proposed 2026 national budget, officials confirmed this week.
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman stated that the decision was based on the presence of unspent funds from the 2025 allocation and current fiscal constraints.
The move reflects the administration’s ongoing efforts to manage limited resources and prioritize key spending areas.
AKAP, launched in 2023, was designed to provide direct financial assistance to low-income earners. The program received approximately ₱26 billion in combined funding across the 2024 and 2025 national budgets.
During previous budget deliberations, the program came under scrutiny in Congress. Lawmakers raised concerns about its implementation, citing the absence of clear guidelines and comparing its structure to a “pork barrel” scheme. Questions about financial management and program oversight were also raised.
The administration’s 2026 budget proposal focuses on funding for social services, infrastructure development, and economic recovery efforts. Officials emphasized that these areas remain the administration’s core priorities.
The exclusion of AKAP from the 2026 budget marks a shift in welfare and fiscal strategy. As of this report, no replacement program has been announced to provide direct financial aid to low-income sectors.
Government officials have not indicated whether AKAP funding may return in future fiscal years.