THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) suspended the distribution of its financial assistance pending the issuance by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) of a Notice of Exemption.

DSWD Davao information officer Carmela Duron said without the Notice of Exemption, they are prohibited from distributing funds to their beneficiaries.

Based on their advisory, beginning April 1, DSWD will not be able to provide Financial Assistance and Claims, Cash For Work, Cash Grants, Social Pension, Modified Shelter Assistance, Family Food Packs, and Supplementary Feeding funds.

“Rest assured DSWD will immediately advise you once the Comelec Exemption is received,” she added.

Comelec enforced several bans in relation to the election campaign season on March 29 to May 12 in accordance to the Omnibus Election Code and Comelec Resolution No. 9585. The ban includes appointment or hiring of new employees, creation or filling up of new positions, promotion or giving salary increases, remuneration, or privilege; construction of public works; and release, disbursement, or expenditures of public funds.

The payout of Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Listahan which was scheduled last March 30 in Talaingod, Asuncion, Kapalong, and San Isidro in Davao Del Norte; Laak, Maco and Pantukan in Compostela Valley has been suspended because of this policy.

“It will be conducted as soon as the Notice of Exemption from Comelec is received. Kindly spread the word especially to our beneficiaries in far flung areas,” DSWD Davao said in a Facebook post.

Included in this suspension is the payout of cash grants to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries.

Duron is crossing her fingers that the approval of the Comelec will be out soon.

She added that in the previous years, they were granted exemption to continue the delivery of their programs for indigent Filipinos.