By Jose Cielito Reganit
MANILA – Legislators have defended the government’s social welfare or “ayuda” (aid) programs, urging critics to stop attacking the initiatives now that the people have spoken about the benefits they get from these undertakings.
The appeal came after major polling firms Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia showed that a vast majority of Filipinos believe that such government programs as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), Walang Gutom Program (WGP), Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) have been highly beneficial.
“Let’s listen to our fellow Filipinos. They support these social welfare programs because they help improve their lives. It’s time to stop the criticism,” House of Representatives Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. said in a statement.
Gonzales said that, as far as he could remember, no other government program has gained such a level of acceptance and support from the public in recent years.
Deputy Speaker David “Jay-Jay” Suarez welcomed the survey results, highlighting the House’s efforts to introduce AKAP into last year’s national budget.
“We knew from the start that this program was beneficial, which is why we ensured its continued funding in the 2025 budget despite some lawmakers attempting to remove it,” Suarez said in a separate statement.
Meanwhile, Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe underscored the role of these programs in ensuring that economic growth reaches marginalized communities.
“These programs are funded by taxpayers’ money, which Congress is putting to good use by helping the poor and those whose income is not enough for their daily needs,” Dalipe said in a statement.
He said the grant of financial assistance and other forms of aid also eases poverty among the poor.
According to the SWS, 90 percent of respondents said 4Ps has been helpful, while 88 percent expressed the same sentiment for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) TUPAD program.
The survey also found that 81 percent of respondents acknowledged the positive impact of the AKAP and Walang Gutom programs.
Similarly, Pulse Asia reported that 82 percent of respondents believed 4Ps improved the financial stability of lower-income Filipinos.
The same percentage said TUPAD provided much-needed livelihood and employment opportunities, while 81 percent credited AKAP with easing their financial burden.
Both surveys were conducted between Jan. 17 and 25. (PNA)
