DSWD6: programs to continue even during election period

The DSWD Field Office VI assured residents in Western Visayas that its programs will proceed amid election period.

This after the Commission on Elections approved the request of DSWD for exemption of implementation of programs and services from the spending ban as stipulated in the provisions of Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code in relation to COMELEC Resolution No. 10944.

“Our programs and services will continue. We are happy that the Comelec has granted exemption to our implementation of programs and services because these are for the benefit of the people,” said Atty. Carmelo Nochete, regional director of DSWD FO VI.

Programs of DSWD that will proceed include the subsidy for rice retailers under the Sustainable Livelihood Program-Economic Relief Subsidy.

Other DSWD programs, projects with approved exemption from election ban are Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, Food Stamp Program (FSP), Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program, Oplan Pag-Abot, Project Lawa, Social Pension Program, Centenarian Program, and Supplemental Feeding Program.

Also exempted are Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAPH), Kalahi-CIDSS, Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan or PAMANA Program, Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP), Psychosocial care and support for persons living with HIV and their affected families.

Also included in the approved request are the Targeted Cash Transfer Program (TCT), Residential and Non-residential Care Program, Philippine Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Project, Socio-Economic Program for Normalization of the Commissioned Combatant, and Modified Shelter Assistance Project.

The Department is also allowed to continue its ongoing disaster relief, early recovery and rehabilitation programs, and provision of programs and services to address the needs of poor, vulnerable, and marginalized Filipinos./dswd6