With the campaign season for local positions in the 2025 midterm elections a little more than a month away, officials from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Calabarzon have assured the public that its social protection programs will remain free from political influence.
This, as the agency has received criticism after incumbent and aspiring local politicians in the region have repeatedly made themselves present during the payout of the various financial assistance programs fielded by the DSWD in past months.
DSWD Calabarzon Regional Information Officer Joseph Arceo said that they will strictly adhere to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) guidelines, which prohibit candidates from being present at payout areas during cash aid distribution.
“Kami talaga ang mismong nagbibigay at hindi namin pinapasa kung kanino man, at lahat po ng ating beneficiaries ay dadaan sa assessment ng social workers. Gusto natin straight payout ito at tayo po ang nagse-set ng mga schedules,” Arceo told local media last February 26.
He assured the public that no politicians will be involved in the distribution of cash aid, particularly for the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) programs, as mandated by the Comelec.
“Sinisigurado po namin na kami ang magbibigay at ina-assess po lahat ng aplikante. Ina-assess po natin ‘yan para sigurado na kwalipikado sila at mayroon talaga silang pangangailangan.”
Arceo also emphasized that DSWD Calabarzon has partnered with Land Bank of the Philippines and other digital financial institutions to ensure secure, efficient, and convenient aid distribution.
“With the help of Land Bank of the Philippines, we have digital partners handling the disbursement of payouts, ensuring that assistance reaches our clients safely, quickly, and conveniently,” Arceo said.
In a memorandum issued last month, the Comelec granted DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s request to exempt the AKAP and other social welfare programs from the 45-day spending ban for the May 2025 elections.
One of the three conditions that DSWD must comply with is ensuring that no candidate or politician is present during the distribution of aid in any form.
The Comelec also stressed that politicians should refrain from participating in the distribution of exempted DSWD projects and must not influence the conduct of the elections.
The DSWD assured the Comelec and the public that “mechanisms are in place to ensure that our programs will not be used for political activities.”
Campaign season for local positions in the May 12 election officially starts on March 28, during which Comelec had said the prohibitions and restrictions on candidates and supporters will be fully applied.
(With report from PIA/OpinYon News Team)
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