THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI clarified that their services will continue amid the election spending ban.
During the Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday, Feb. 10, DSWD XI regional director Merlinda Paragamac said, “The DSWD was granted by the Comelec an exemption with our 28 grants and services, so we can operate regularly.”
This, following reports from provinces that political candidates allegedly intervened in the distribution of cash grants such as the controversial Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
The 90-day election campaign period for the senatorial candidates and party-list groups for the May 2025 elections started on Tuesday, Feb. 11, and runs until May 10.
In its Memorandum No. 24-09014 on Jan. 8, 2025, the Comelec granted DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s request to exempt the different programs of the agency.
In the memorandum, Comelec chairperson George Garcia exempted 28 services under DSWD which are the following:
- Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)
- Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP)
- Services for Residential and Center-based Clients
- Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP)
- Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens
- Implementation of RA No. 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016
- Protective Services for Individuals & Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances – COMBASED
- Protective Services for Individuals & Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances – PROPER
- Services to Displaced Persons (Deportees)
- Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons
- Assistance to Persons with Disability & Senior Citizens
- National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction
- KALAHI-CIDSS-KKB
- Philippines Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP)
- Bangsamoro Umpungan sa Nutrisyon (BangUn)
- PAMANA – Peace & Development
- PAMANA – DSWD/LGU Led Livelihood
- Pag-Abot Program
- Philippine Food Stamp Program/Walang Gutom Program (WGP)
- Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP)
- KALAHI-CIDSS-National Community-Driven Development Program – Additional Financing (NCDDP-AF)
- Beneficiary First Project (BFIRST)
- Trust Receipt
- Tara Basa! Tutoring Program
- Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty – National Program Management Office
- Social Technology Development and Enhancement
- Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS)
- Financial assistance to qualified individuals
This is provided that no candidates or politicians shall be present during the distribution and that DSWD should furnish Comelec with their guidelines and faithful observance of these guidelines during the conduct.
Garcia emphasized however that candidates attending cash aid distributions are prohibited during the 45-day campaign period for local elections, in line with the Omnibus Election Code.
Meanwhile, Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) distribution shall be “absolutely prohibited” 10 days before the midterm elections on May 12, 2025.
