Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao told reporters at the DSWD Thursday Media Forum on January 9 that these measures will ensure the Department’s adherence to the conditionalities set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) when it exempted 28 DSWD programs from the poll spending ban.

“We would like to take this opportunity para mabanggit at ma-reassure ang ating kababayan that all the necessary safeguards are being instituted by the Department to really protect the programs and services of the agency from any form of political interference,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said during the Media Forum.

In a memorandum issued on January 7 by the Comelec, the commission approved the request of the DSWD to exempt 28 social welfare programs from Section 261 (v)(2) of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC).

The memorandum also ordered the DSWD’s full compliance to three conditions such as “no candidate/politicians during the distribution of ‘ayuda’ in whatever nature or form; the DSWD must furnish the guidelines as committed by the agency in its public procurements; and faithful observance of these guidelines by the DSWD and its personnel and partners.”

“Batay nga din po sa mga conditions na nilabas ng Comelec, titiyakin po yan na susundin po ng DSWD,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.

The DSWD official also pointed out one of the agency’s safety nets against politicking is to educate the public on the agency’s programs and services.

“Isa po sa mga impormasyon na ipinapahatid natin ay regarding sa mga programs at services na pinapaabot ng DSWD. Ipinapaliwanag po natin sa kanila na ang mga tulong na nanggagaling sa gobyerno, walang pong partisipasyon yung mga politiko or yung mga tumatakbo sa mga halalan,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.

This approach, according to the DSWD spokesperson, empowers the public and voters to arrive at informed decisions and actions and allay their vulnerability to political interference.

Asst. Secretary Dumlao reiterated that the DSWD is the sole implementing agency of AKAP and the other programs of the Department.

“Nais nating linawin na ang DSWD ang implementing agency ng AKAP, gayundin po yung isinasagawa na identification of beneficiaries, vetting and assessment of beneficiaries, even up to the actual distribution of aid ay ang mga DSWD personnel po nagsasagawa niyan,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao explained.

The DSWD spokesperson said the Department is ready to address grievances with regard to observed violations of standard practices.

“Ipagpaalam po sa aming tanggapan so we could do the necessary validation, investigation and kung kinakailangan na i-elevate natin doon sa appropriate agency para magawaran ng nararapat na aksyon, gagawin po natin,” the DSWD official pointed out. (LSJ)