The spokesperson of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reiterated on Thursday (October 17) the agency has policies in place that aim to insulate the agency’s social protection programs from political intervention.

“In prior years, mayroon na tayong inilabas na mga panuntunan regarding the insulation of the programs and services of the Department from any forms of political interferences while respecting and valuing, of course, yung ating partnership and good working relationship with the local government units,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the agency spokesperson, told reporters at the Thursday Media Forum at the DSWD Central Office’s New Press Center in Quezon City.

The DSWD spokesperson explained the agency has mechanisms in place in its programs to guide its beneficiaries on voter’s education which is currently being facilitated through the Family Development Sessions (FDS) of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

“One of the modules of the FDS under the 4Ps is active citizenship. Sa pamamagitan niyan, nai-inform natin ang ating mga partner beneficiaries na hindi dapat ma-influence yung kanilang desisyon para sa pagpili ng mamumuno sa kanila. Bagkus, naka-capacitate sila at naliliwanagan na itong mga programa po na naipapaabot sa kanila ay nanggagaling sa national government,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao told the media.

During the forum, Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the DSWD will continue providing assistance to the needy, whether they have referrals or none.

“Lagi naman po nating binabanggit, walk-in man iyan o referral, inaasikaso po, tinatanggap ng DSWD, ina-aassess po ng ating mga social workers. Sumasailalim po sila sa matinding proseso ng validation, ng assessment para matiyak na talagang nangangailangan po ng tulong itong babahaginan po natin ng assistance,” the DSWD spokesperson said.

In a related topic, Asst. Secretary Dumlao mentioned that during the 2022 election, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) granted the DSWD’s exemption request of its routine and normal expenses, procurement projects, and select programs and services, including the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, from the prohibition against release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds. #

Tagalog Version

Walang halong pulitika ang mga mga programa, serbisyo sa DSWD – Spox

Binigyang diin ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), walang halong pulitika na nakapaloob sa mga programa at serbisyong ibinibigay ng ahensya para sa mga nangangailangan.

Sa ginanap na Thursday Media Forum sa DSWD New Press Center, sinabi ni DSWD Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, “In prior years, mayroon na tayong inilabas na mga panuntunan regarding the insulation of the programs and services of the Department from any forms of political interferences while respecting and valuing, of course, yung ating partnership and good working relationship with the local government units.”

PInaliwanag ng tagapagsalita ng ahensya na mayroong mga nakalatag na mekanismo ang DSWD para sa mga programa nito, mayroon din aniyang alituntunin na sinusunod para sa mga benepisyaryo para tupdin ang Family Development Sessions (FDS) ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

“One of the modules of the FDS under the 4Ps is active citizenship. Sa pamamagitan niyan, nai-inform natin ang ating mga partner beneficiaries na hindi dapat ma-influence yung kanilang desisyon para sa pagpili ng mamumuno sa kanila. Bagkus, naka-capacitate sila at naliliwanagan na itong mga programa po na naipapaabot sa kanila ay nanggagaling sa national government,” sabi pa ni Asst. Secretary Dumlao.

Gayunman, inihayag din ng opisyal na tuloy tuloy ang pagbibigay ng assistance ng DSWD sa lahat ng mga nangangailangan maging ang mga ito ay referral o hindi.

“Lagi naman po nating binabanggit, walk-in man iyan o referral, inaasikaso po, tinatanggap ng DSWD, ina-aassess po ng ating mga social workers. Sumasailalim po sila sa matinding proseso ng validation, ng assessment para matiyak na talagang nangangailangan po ng tulong itong babahaginan po natin ng assistance,” dagdag pa niya.

Kaugnay nito, binanggit ni Asst. Secretary Dumlao noong nakaraang 2022 election, inaprubahan ng Commission on Election (Comelec) ang exemption request ng DSWD para maipagpatuloy nito ang routine at normal expenses, procurement projects, and select programs and services, kabilang na ang Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, mula sa prohibition against release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds. #