DSWD: 4Ps beneficiaries free to participate in rallies

An official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are not prohibited to participate in protests or rallies.

Oliver Inodeo, DSWD information officer said participating in rallies is a right of each individual.

What is prohibited however is when politicians are using the antipoverty program to lure or attract voters or threaten them to be out of the program if they don’t vote for a certain politician.

“Wala sila gibawalan nga magrally. Tao pod na sila, they have their rights and they have the right to suffrage, garespect mi sa DSWD kay katungod nila ug walay gabawal sa ilaha,” Inodeo said.

“As long as it will not use the program for endorsement of political group or certain candidate mao nga bawal ang Epal. Dili ang LGU maoy nagpili aron mahimong member sa 4Ps ang usa ka benipisaryo apan ang DSWD,” he said.

Inodeo pointed out that DSWD is neutral and does not side with any political parties.

City Administrator Teddy Sabuga-a said he will investigate reports after a rally that called for the mayor’s ouster were allegedly beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Sabuga-a said he is worried that some barangay officials might be behind using the 4Ps beneficiaries in their own interest and politicizing the program.

MINDANAO-BASED XAVIER UNIVERSITY (XU) ATENEO NIGHT SCHOOL, RECOGNIZED AS LENOVO OUTSTANDING TECHVISIONARY AT 16TH TAYO AWARDS. Utilizing technology to provide interactive alternative learning to drop-outs, out-ofschool youth, and street children, the XU Ateneo Night School Program was recognized by Lenovo, a global innovation leader and TAYO Foundation partner, as an Outstanding Tech Visionary at the TAYO 16 Awards ceremony. In photo from left to right: Camille Antonio, PR Manager for Lenovo Philippines, CID Communication and Edchelle Rellama, XU Night School Program Volunteer-Teacher (Science).