Solon seeks to exempt DSWD aid programs from poll ban spending

ALAWMAKER is asking the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to exempt all emergency financial assistance programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) from election ban spending.

In a letter to DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista, House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda asked the DSWD official to petition to Comelec for an exemption of all DSWD aid transactions from the prohibition under the poll body’s Resolution 10747.

“The times are extraordinary, and we cannot afford a slowdown in emergency and crisis aid, particularly the Assistance for individuals in crisis situations of the DSWD. We also cannot afford delays in the Pantawid Pa mil yang Pilipino program or 4ps and other social amelioration programs,” he said.

“Otherwise, we will definitely see a slow down in recovery. we’ ve had enough of slowdowns this year,” he stressed.

Salceda said that frontloading economic recovery programs is crucial.

“I am certain that you are aware of the potential consequences of

Otherwise, we will definitely see a slowdown in recovery. We’ve had enough of slowdowns this year.

Rep. Joey Salceda

such a prohibition on aid disbursement during a once-in-a-lifetime crisis. The prohibition, if not lifted for DSWD, will no doubt delay economic recovery and cause undue hardship to millions of Filipinos,” he added.

Resolution 10747 includes “The Department of Social Welfare and Development and other offices in other departments of the government performing functions similar to said department” in its public spending ban from March to May 2022.

According to Salceda, the prohibition has an exemption clause, which could allow the disbursement of funds under such programs to go unimpeded “for such other expenses as the Commission may authorize after due notice and hearing.”

The Comelec resolution said it might exempt “such other expenses as the Commission may authorize after due notice and hearing.” “They could even include safeguards against electioneering if they deem it proper. But aid should face no delay, especially in these difficult times. Crisis situations do not take an election holiday,” Salceda said.