THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday authorized the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to proceed with the implementation of its 28 cash assistance programs even during the ban on the release of public funds ahead of the May 2025 national and local polls.
The poll body, through Memorandum No. 24-09014, granted the request of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian to exempt the 28 programs, including 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 other programs that were exempted 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.
Also exempted are 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 – LGU Led Livelihood.
Completing the list 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 that are 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, referring to the recommendation of Law Department Director Maria Norina Casingal.
Garcia stressed the exempted DSWD projects must not influence the conduct of the forthcoming elections.
“(There must be) strict compliance that (there are) no candidates or politicians during the distribution of ‘ayuda’,” he said.
DSWD assistant secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao welcomed the Comelec decision and assured the election body that mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that the programs will not be used for political partisan activities.
“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,” Dumlao said.
Garcia said the distribution of aid under the AICS initiative will be suspended 10 days before Election Day, or from May 2 to 12, except those which are normally given to qualified individuals such as, but not limited to basic needs in the form of food, transportation, medical, educational, burial, and other similar assistance.
Under Memorandum No. 24-09014, the DSWD is required to provide the Comelec with the guidelines it will announce in its public pronouncements regarding the exempted projects.
It shall likewise submit a periodic written report of the disbursements made regarding the social assistance programs.
Section 261 (v) of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) prohibits the release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds 45 days before a regular election, unless authorized by the Comelec.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 10999, the release, disbursement, or expenditures of public funds is prohibited from March 28 to May 11, 2025.
AREAS OF CONCERN
Central Luzon police regional office director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan yesterday recommended that 12 municipalities in Central Luzon be tagged as areas of concern in connection with the May polls due to the history of intense political rivalry in these areas.
Maranan said the 12 municipalities are in Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan.
“Historically, we know that there is really intense political rivalry in Central Luzon. There were even violent incidents that occurred in the last elections,” he said, adding that his recommendation will still be subjected to deliberation.
Maranan said the regional police will focus its attention and closely monitor the security environment in the 12 municipalities.
Additional policemen and logistical resources will likewise be deployed to the areas of concern.
At the same time, Maranan said there is only one private armed group in the region.
“This private armed group is based in Nueva Ecija. It is operating in a particular municipality,” he said, adding that efforts are underway to dismantle the group.
Overall, Maranan said the political situation in Central Luzon is “manageable.” – With Jocelyn Montemayor and Victor Reyes
