The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Bicol reported on Tuesday a total of PHP90.3 million in financial aid to thousands of minimum wage earners under the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) during the recent “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat” event, marking the 67th birthday of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Leslie Benbing, DSWD-Bicol crisis intervention section information officer, said at least 18,078 beneficiaries from the six provinces of the region received PHP5,000 each.

The number of beneficiaries per province was: Albay — 5,664; Sorsogon — 1,801; Masbate — 2,824; Catanduanes — 1,000; Camarines Sur — 4,789; and Camarines Norte — 2,000.

“The beneficiaries were from the formal and informal sectors, minimum wage earners, and near-poor individuals, including fishermen, food vendors, barangay health workers, and barangay public safety officers (tanod). The financial aid will help with the needs of the family, particularly their food consumption,” Benbing said.

She added the department reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the lives of the poor and marginalized sectors through its programs and services.

One of the beneficiaries from Sorsogon, Hilda Hular Balasta, a 48-year-old person with a disability (PWD) and sari-sari store owner, expressed her gratitude to the DSWD-Bicol and President Marcos Jr. for the financial assistance she received.

“Thank you so much, DSWD, for this financial support. It is a tremendous help for me, especially for my needs because I am a member of the PWD community. Also, thank you so much, President Marcos Jr., for this gift. Happy birthday! ” she said.

DSWD-Bicol Regional Director Norman Laurio expressed his strong support for the President and his administration’s efforts to improve the lives of Filipinos. (PNA)