The Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance (Tama Na) condemned the House leadership for proposing the Ayuda sa Kapos sa Kita Program or AKAP in the national budget for 2025. The funds were removed in the Senate version but the bicameral committee restored half, or ₱26 billion, of the original ₱39 billion. The Senate earlier opposed it because Congress did not allocate funds for senators.

In the final version of the proposed budget, ₱21 billion was allocated to Congress, and ₱5 billion to the Senate. If the funds were divided equally among all representatives, each will get ₱83 million. If the party-list representatives were not given a share, district representatives’ allocations will amount to ₱103 million. Though Senate was allocated a smaller amount, each senator will receive up to ₱208 million.

The AKAP allegedly aims to provide assistance to low-income families affected by inflation and other circumstances. This is in addition to many existing assistance programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations, TUPAD or Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, special pension for poor senior citizens, Sustainable Livelihood Program, Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially-Incapacitated Patients, and many others.

AKAP was first inserted into the 2024 budget. It faced widespread criticism, especially in the first half of the year, when it was exposed that the funds were used for charter change (cha-cha) through a People’s Initiative.

According to Tama Na, programs like AKAP and similar assistance programs are no different from the pork barrel funds congressmen and senators used for patronage politics. They play a significant role in politics, especially as elections approach. In the past, assistance programs have been used to secure the loyalty of representatives and senators, and to buy votes and influence.

“Very much like the 4Ps Program, AKAP, and other government sponsored dole-out programs that provide subsidies to alleviate poverty, appear focused on providing necessary relief to struggling families. But in reality, these programs teach dependency rather than empower the people to achieve long-term stability,” the alliance said. “It is symptomatic of a political system where financial aid is dangled before the poor as a tool for influence rather than a means of genuine development.”

What the people need now are higher wages and better jobs, not subsidies or dole-outs, according to the alliance. Instead of addressing these needs, Congress and the Senate are pushing their own assistance programs, which are merely short-term fixes.

Patronage system programs ensure that citizens remain reliant on politicians, perpetuating the cycle of control, according to Tama Na. Breaking free from this system is essential if we wish an end to corruption in government.

While subsidies may provide temporary relief, they are no substitute for structural reforms that promote economic justice, the alliance added.