MANILA – Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) spokesperson Irene Dumlao on Thursday reiterated that the agency has policies in place that aim to insulate the agency’s social protection programs from political intervention.
“In prior years, mayroon na tayong inilabas na mga panuntunan (we have issued guidelines) regarding the insulation of the programs and services of the department from any forms of political interferences while respecting and valuing, of course, yung ating (our) partnership and good working relationship with the local government units,” she said during the Thursday Media Forum at the New Press Center.
Dumlao, who is also the agency’s Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG), said the agency has mechanisms in place in its programs to guide its beneficiaries on voter education, which is currently being facilitated through the Family Development Sessions (FDS) of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
“One of the modules of the FDS under the 4Ps is active citizenship. Sa pamamagitan niyan, nai-inform natin ang ating mga partner beneficiaries na hindi dapat ma-influence yung kanilang desisyon para sa pagpili ng mamumuno sa kanila. Bagkus, naka-capacitate sila at naliliwanagan na itong mga programa po na naipapaabot sa kanila ay nanggagaling sa national government (Through that, we are able to inform our partner beneficiaries whose decision should not be influenced when choosing who leads them. Instead, they are capacitated and enlightened that these programs being delivered to them are coming from the national government),” she said.
Dumlao assured that the DSWD would continue to provide assistance to the needy, whether they have referrals or none.
“Lagi naman po nating binabanggit, walk-in man iyan o referral, inaasikaso po, tinatanggap ng DSWD. Ina-assess po ng ating mga social workers. Sumasailalim po sila sa matinding proseso ng validation, ng assessment para matiyak na talagang nangangailangan po ng tulong itong babahaginan po natin ng assistance (We are always saying, whether walk-in or referral, they are being accommodated, accepted by the DSWD. Our social workers are assessing them. They undergo a serious validation process, assessment to ensure that they really need assistance),” she said.
Dumlao said during the 2022 elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) granted the DSWD’s exemption request for its routine and normal expenses, procurement projects, and select programs and services, including the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, from the prohibition against release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds. (PNA)