I HAVE long been opposed to the idea of “ayuda,” be it in the form of 4Ps, AICS, Tupad, AKAP and all other forms as they only institutionalize the culture of mendicancy. I believe the government could simply engage in localized projects like infrastructure (building and road construction, repairs, etc.) Rat the barangay level, utilize the unemployed, lend small capital for those who would want to capitalize on the government-initiated pump-priming activities.