Funding Cuts for Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program in 2026
The Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program continues to face uncertainty as it will reportedly receive zero funding in the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP). Officials from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) confirmed that the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) flagship social welfare initiative was excluded from the upcoming fiscal year’s budget.
Launched nationwide on May 18, 2024, the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program was designed to provide one-time cash assistance ranging from ₱3,000 to ₱5,000 to minimum wage earners and near-poor Filipinos. The program initially received ₱26 billion in 2025 to aid vulnerable sectors not covered by other social safety nets.
Reasons Behind the Budget Exclusion
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman explained that despite the program’s popularity, the government opted not to allocate funds for it in 2026 due to limited fiscal space. She noted that leftover funds from the 2025 allocation remain available for continuing assistance.
“Given the limited fiscal space, we have decided not to include it this year,” Pangandaman said during the turnover of the ₱6.793-trillion NEP to the House of Representatives.
House Committee’s Perspective on the Program
Meanwhile, Nueva Ecija Representative Mikaela Suansing, chair of the House committee on appropriations, acknowledged the program’s benefits. She highlighted how the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program has reached constituencies previously untouched by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
“We’ve been seeing how it’s been helpful to many of our constituencies. It’s helped so many people, especially those previously untapped or not reached by our 4Ps program,” Suansing said. Despite this, she deferred to her colleagues regarding efforts to reinstate its budget for the next year.
Political and Fiscal Implications
The program’s fluctuating funding contrasts sharply with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), whose subsidies were cut to zero in 2025 partly to accommodate the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program. Critics have questioned the sudden inclusion of the program in the bicameral conference committee’s budget, noting it was absent from the initial NEP submitted by the Palace the previous year.
PhilHealth has since relied solely on member contributions and budget surpluses to maintain operations amid these cuts. Observers say this shift reflects shifting priorities in social welfare spending.
Controversies Surrounding the Program
The Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program has also been mired in controversy. Senator Imee Marcos previously alleged that the program was used to entice individuals to support a campaign to amend the 1987 Constitution. Civil society watchdogs have flagged the initiative and similar social welfare projects as potential pork barrel schemes or electioneering funds ahead of the midterm elections.
These concerns have added to the debate over the program’s legitimacy and sustainability, complicating its future prospects.
Looking Ahead
As the 2026 budget deliberations continue, the fate of the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program remains uncertain. While it has provided much-needed relief to near-poor Filipinos, the government faces balancing fiscal constraints with social welfare needs.
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