HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin on Thursday urged against maligning the Ayuda sa Kapos sa Kita Program (AKAP), describing it as a legitimate and noble initiative aimed at assisting poor workers cope with the effects of the pandemic.

In a press conference, Garin lamented that AKAP is becoming collateral damage in the ongoing tension between the Senate and the House of Representatives over constitutional economic amendments, with Sen. Imee Marcos insinuating that the program was being used to entice individuals to support the people’s initiative aimed at amending the 1987 Constitution.

“We respect the wisdom of the Senate, but we also have to stand up because we cannot continue maligning good projects,” Garin asserted.

Garin stressed that baseless accusations could tarnish the reputation of AKAP and lead to misunderstanding among the public.

She emphasized that AKAP is not merely a frivolous endeavor but a vital lifeline for individuals experiencing financial hardship, highlighting its role in assisting workers grappling with rising commodity prices and ensuring that the burden is not solely passed on to their employers.

“Ang pag-malign na ito ay posibleng magkaroon ng taint at magkaroon ng maling pag-intindi ‘yung ating mga kababayan. So, uulitin natin ‘yung AKAP ay hindi siya hao-siao. Ang AKAP ay tulong sa mga taong kinakapos ang kita. Ang AKAP ay tulong para ‘yung mga empleyadong nahihirapan sa pagtaas ng mga presyo ng mga bilihin ay hindi natin ipapasa lang ng buo ang burden sa kanilang mga employer,” Garin explained.

“In our country, we can survive if we help each other. The Philippines has one of the happiest people in the world, and let us make that happy feeling, the adrenaline, and the anchor to work together, help each other survive these trying times and prove to the world that we are a resilient country,” she pointed out.

She also acknowledged the efforts of the House of Reresentatives’ contingent to the bicameral conference committee on the 2024 national budget for actively seeking avenues to establish programs aimed at providing temporary financial assistance or supplemental income for minimum wage earners.

“That is why the government and the House leadership ay talagang naghanap ng paraan para magkaroon ng programa ang gobyerno na magbibigay ng pansamantalang pantawid or dagdag sa kanilang kita kasi sila nga ay minimum wage earners habang naghihingalo tayo sa epekto ng pandemya,” Garin said.

The lawmaker also appealed for an end to the ongoing bickering between the Senate and the House, emphasizing that such conflicts not only waste taxpayers’ money but also set a negative example for the public.

She expressed her dismay over the unnecessary discord, highlighting the need for constructive dialogue to address pressing issues.

“Kaya dapat talagang ihinto ‘yung pag-aaway na ito kase it’s not only a waste of taxpayers’ money, it’s also a bad example that we are showing to our people,” Garin said.

At the same time, Garin denounced allegations suggesting the misuse of funds related to AKAP, asserting that such claims hold no basis and only serve to undermine the program’s credibility.

“So it’s talagang medyo… walang .0001% of probability ng truth,” Garin affirmed.

Garin further highlighted the challenges faced by the Filipino populace amidst the pandemic, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support measures.

She underscored the multifaceted impact of the health crisis, noting its adverse effects on both public health and the economy.

“We are not yet done with the effects of the pandemic. The initial effect of a pandemic will be health, immediate health problems. After that will be secondary health problems and economic challenges, ‘yan po talaga ang nangyayari,” Garin explained.

Drawing from her experience as a congresswoman, Garin echoed the sentiments expressed by ordinary Filipinos during the recent visits of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to various regions.

She emphasized the common concerns regarding rising prices of basic commodities and the strain on household budgets, stressing the urgency of government intervention.

Garin outlined the government’s role in alleviating the plight of both workers and small-scale entrepreneurs, advocating for measures to ease the burden of post-pandemic complications.

She emphasized the importance of cutting red tape and implementing programs to provide temporary relief to affected individuals and businesses.

“Dapat ang gobyerno ay sumaklolo sa ating taongbayan… Kailangan na nating tulungan ang mga negosyante by cutting red tape at ginagawa nga ‘yan,” Garin asserted.