THE Department of Social Welfare and Development – Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) assured the public that key programs will continue despite the election spending ban, following an exemption granted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
DSWD-Davao regional director Merlinda Paragamac confirmed the exemption, allowing the agency to proceed with 28 essential programs and services. She announced the Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday, February 10, 2025, at SM City Davao.
“Gi grant ang DSWD ug exemption sa COMELEC with our 28 programs and services so we can operate regularly (Comelec granted DSWD an exemption, so we can continue operating our programs and services as usual),” Paragamac said.
Among the programs that will remain operational are the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (Akap), Walang Gutom Program (WGP), and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).
Several key programs are exempt from the election spending ban, ensuring continued support for vulnerable communities. These include the Sustainable Livelihood Program, Services for Residential and Center-Based Clients, Supplementary Feeding Program, and Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens.
The Implementation of the Centenarians Act, Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances—both COMBASED and PROPER—and Services to Displaced Persons will also continue.
Additionally, Comelec has allowed the Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons, Assistance to Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens, and the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction to proceed. Other exempted initiatives include Kalahi-CIDSS-KKB, the Philippines Multisectoral Nutrition Project, Bangsamoro Umpungan sa Nutrisyon, and PAMANA programs focused on peace, development, and livelihood support.
Further exemptions cover programs such as the Pag-Abot Program, KALAHI-CIDSS – National Community Driven Development Program, Beneficiary First Project, Trust Receipt, and the Tara Basa Tutoring Program. The Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty, Social Technology Development and Enhancement, and financial assistance for qualified beneficiaries will also remain unaffected by the spending ban.
Meanwhile, Comelec chairman George Garcia warned that politicians are prohibited from interfering in the distribution of DSWD assistance. This reminder came after a Senate hearing on February 3, 2025, where a DSWD official admitted that some politicians had been involved in the controversial distribution of the AKAP program.
As the campaign season for the May 2025 midterm elections begins, the 90-day campaign period for senatorial and party-list candidates kicked off on February 11, while those running for the House of Representatives and other local positions will start their campaigns on March 28.
The election spending ban remains in effect, but with the DSWD exemption, essential social services will continue to reach those in need. RGP