MANILA – Twenty-eight projects and programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have been exempted from the ban on the release of public funds in connection with the May 2025 national and local elections (NLE).
In its Memorandum No. 24-09014, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) granted the request of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian for the exemption of different projects such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), Walang Gutom Program (WGP), and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
The request was approved upon the recommendation of the Comelec’s Law Department.
“The Law Department recommends the approval of the request for exemption of Secretary Rex T. Gatchalian, DSWD,” said Law Department Director Maria Norina Casingal.
The other projects that have been granted exemptions are the Sustainable Livelihood Program, Services for Residential and Center-Based Clients, Supplementary Feeding Program, Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, Implementation of the Centenarians Act, Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances – COMBASED, Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances – PROPER, and Services to Displaced Persons.
The Comelec also exempts the Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons, Assistance to Persons with Disability and Senior Citizens, National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction, KALAHI-CIDSS-KKB, Philippines Multisectoral Nutrition Project, Bangsamoro Umpungan sa Nutrisyon, PAMANA – Peace and Development, and PAMANA – DSWD/LGU Led Livelihood.
Other programs not covered by the ban are: the Pag-Abot Program, KALAHI-CIDSS-National Community Driven Development Program, Beneficiary First Project, Trust Receipt, Tara Basa Tutoring Program, Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty, Social Technology Development and Enhancement, and financial assistance normally given to qualified individuals.
“By virtue of the authority granted upon me under Comelec Resolution No. 11060, the recommendation of the Law Department is hereby approved,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.
On the other hand, the poll body chief noted that the politicians should refrain from participating in the distribution of exempted DSWD projects, and should not influence the conduct of the May elections.
“(There must be) strict compliance that (there are) no candidates or politicians during the distribution of ayuda (aid),” Garcia said.
The Comelec also required the DSWD to submit the guidelines and a periodic written report of the disbursements made regarding the exempted projects.
Section 261 (v) of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) bars the release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds 45 days before a regular election unless authorized by the Comelec.
DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao welcomed the Comelec’s decision to exempt 28 agency programs and services from the spending ban.
“We thank the Comelec for approving our request without striking out any item,” Dumlao, also assistant secretary of DSWD, said in a statement.
“The exemption ensures the continuous delivery of our programs and services to address the needs of poor, vulnerable, and marginalized Filipinos during the election period,” she added.
Dumlao assured the Commission and the public that “mechanisms are in place to ensure that our programs will not be used for political partisan activities.” (Jose Cielito Reganit/PNA)