DSWD can give cash aid
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) can continue to implement its cash aid programs even during the election season.
The law department of the Commission on Elections said the programs of DSWD are not among the activities banned under the Omnibus Election Code in relation to the May 2018 elections.
“Please be informed that for purposes of the 14 May 2017 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, the DSWD is not covered by the ban under Section 261 (v)(2) of the OEC,”
reads a portion of the letter signed by Atty. Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal, Comelec Director IV.
Comelec made the clarification following a letter from DSWD Legal Service Director Carlo Florendo Castro.
With Comelec’s response, Castro issued a memorandum to officers, bureaus, services, units and field officers allowing the distribution of cash grants to beneficiaries of SLP and other programs.
“Distribute cash grants to beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), Social Pension Program, Centenarians, among others,” reads a portion of Castro’s memorandum dated April 16, 2018.
In his memorandum, Castro made it clear that DSWD personnel must – in the context of the elections – observe existing rules and guidelines when implementing the programs.
The rules include the following, among others: DSWD personnel must not allow candidates, as well as the candidates’ spouses and family members, to participate in implementing the programs; DSWD personnel must not participate in medical missions or other programs organized by a political candidate; and DSWD personnel must avoid joining activities with incumbent officials who are running for office.
One of DSWD’s programs, the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), became the topic of discussion recently when Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgar Labella wants it stopped temporarily so that political candidates cannot use it to advance their agenda.
Candidates in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections started campaigning last May 4. Elections are on May 14.
Mayor Tomas Osmeña, however, did not agree with Labella and called the latter an obstructionist.
Rizalina Patindol, SLP regional coordinator, assured that the program will not be tainted with politics.
She said the program continues to be operational and the first batch of beneficiaries of the P10,000 cash aid are from Barangay Mambaling, which has 1,235 recipients.
The city’s Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) is helping DSWD implement the program here. With the Comelec’s latest decision, Labella said: “Since it is nationally funded, I am for the release for as long as it will not be used to further the political ends of anyone. Basta dili lang gamiton sa pamolitika, wala gyud problema. Mo-endorse pa ko ana,” he told The FREEMAN.
SLP is a program of the DSWD intended for individuals who don’t have a viable source of income.
In Cebu City, at least 67,000 have been identified eligible to receive the cash aid.