4Ps get P129.9 billion in proposed 2026 budget; AKAP, zero

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the government's flagship conditional cash transfer program for the poorest of the poor, has been allocated almost P113 billion under the P6.793-trillion National Expenditure Program for 2026, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. said.

The Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), the assistance program for minimum-wage earners that stirred some controversy over its P26-billion allocation in the 2025 General Appropriations Act, has been left out of the NEP for 2026, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.

According to Marcos' budget message, the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program has been allocated P11 billion, while the Department of Labor and Employment's Integrated Livelihood Program has been proposed to receive P2.2 billion.

Marcos said the allocation for 4Ps would provide various financial and social assistance that would improve the quality of life of 4,400,000 marginalized household beneficiaries.

The said amount shall cover cash grants, rice subsidy, Enhanced Support Services Intervention (ESSI) grants, and cash grants for the first 1,000-day health monitoring during pregnancy until the child has turned two years old.

The beneficiaries who comply with program conditions shall continue to receive educational and health grants, including the ESSI grants, as well as other social protection programs, such as, but not limited to, livelihood assistance and health services through PhilHealth.

TUPAD is meant to provide emergency short-term employment for workers affected by economic displacement, disasters, and seasonality.

The DILP, on the other hand, is seen to provide start-up capital, training, and equipment to individuals and groups who would like to establish microenterprises.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development defines AKAP as a financial assistance program designed for minimum-wage and low-income earners.

The program provides various forms of aid, including food, medical, funeral, cash relief, and rice assistance.

“Wala po ‘yung AKAP sa budget ng DSWD,” Pangandaman said at a press briefing following the turnover of next year’s proposed NEP to the House of Representatives.

“May natitira pa pong pondo from 2025, and like I mentioned a while ago, we received a total of P10 trillion proposal from agencies and given our limited fiscal space hindi muna natin siya sinama,” Pangandaman said.

(There is no allocation for the AKAP in the budget of the DSWD. There are still some funds left from 2025, and like I mentioned a while ago, we received a total of P10 trillion proposal from agencies, and given our limited fiscal space, we didn't include it at this time.)

To recall, there was also no allocation for AKAP under the 2025 NEP submitted by the Department of Budget and Management.

The House of Representatives, however, allotted P39 billion for AKAP under its version of the General Appropriations Bill. 

This was then deleted entirely under the Senate’s versions.

During the bicam, the AKAP still received an allocation of about P26 billion under the final version of the GAB.

The so-called budget “insertion” for AKAP was among the criticisms of the 2025 GAA.

In approving the 2025 national budget, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. placed AKAP under “conditional implementation.” –NB, GMA Integrated News