The Department of Social Welfare and Development welcomed the decision of the Commission on Elections to exempt DSWD programs and services from the spending ban ahead of the Nov. 2 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD spokesperson, said Sept. 23 that the exemption will ensure that the Department is able to continuously provide assistance to the poor, vulnerable, disadvantaged sectors, especially those who are in urgent need of aid.
“Nagpapasalamat po ang DSWD sa Comelec sa pag-apruba ng ating request na ma-exempt ang ilang programa ng ating ahensya. The approval will ensure unhampered aid to poor and marginalized Filipinos,” Dumlao stressed.
In a memorandum issued by the Comelec Sept. 17, the poll body approved the request of the DSWD to exempt some of its social welfare programs from the poll spending ban under the Omnibus Election Code (OEC).
Some of the exempted programs include the supplementary feeding program, sustainable livelihood program, social pension for indigent senior citizen, Walang Gutom program, Pag-abot program, Bangsamoro Umpungan sa Nutrisyon, strategic helpdesks for information, education, livelihood and other developmental interventions against child labor program, and the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (Uplift) assistance.
In the same memorandum, the Comelec said the approval “does not involve the distribution of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) from Oct. 23 to Nov. 2, except medical and burial assistance, which are normally given to qualified individuals.”
Dumlao said the DSWD is fully committed to heeding the Comelec’s terms and recommendations under its recently released memorandum.
This includes the prohibition on the presence of elective officials, candidates, nominees, and/or aspirants during the distribution of cash aid.
The Comelec also urged the DSWD to ensure that the exemption shall not in any manner influence the conduct of the 2026 BSKE.
The Comelec said that in line with the BSKE, the prohibition against release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds for social welfare and services projects as well as housing-related projects started Sept. 18 and is ongoing until Nov. 1.
Requests for exemption can be filed. There is, however, an absolute prohibition on the issuance or use of treasury warrants or any device for future delivery of money, goods, or other things of value chargeable against public funds.
The giving or distribution of ayuda, TUPAD, AKAP, AICS, and 4Ps is also banned from Oct. 23 to Nov. 2, except medical and burial assistance, the Comelec added. ||
