BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development assured the continuing implementation of its promotive and protective programs and services after the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) approved exemption of 28 welfare programs from the 45- days spending ban for the May 2025 mid-term elections under certain conditions.
Under COMELEC Resolution No. 10999, the release/disbursement or expenditures of public funds, is prohibited from March 28 to May 11, 2025.
“This order allows us to serve the vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors in the Cordillera Region without any hesitations. With this, our clients and stakeholders would not have to worry if they will be assisted by the DSWD or not” DSWD Cordillera Regional Director Maria A. Catbagan Aplaten said.
Programs and services that are allowed to continue with the operations include Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP), PAMANA, Pag-Abot Program, Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), Social Technologies, and Enhanced Partnership against Hunger and Poverty (EPHAP), Social Pension Program (SocPen), Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), and Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
Residential care facilities of the Department including the Regional Haven for Women and Girls, Reception and Study Center for Children, and Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth will also continue providing services to their residents to ensure that their rehabilitation will not be hampered.
Aplaten assured that DSWD CAR will abide with the conditions set by COMELEC for the exemption- that no candidate/politician is allowed during the distribution of ayuda in whatever form, DSWD to furnish the guidelines as committed by the agency in its public procurements, and strict observance of these guidelines by the DSWD and its personnel and partners.
“The DSWD FO CAR commits to follow the guidance provided by the COMELEC this election period. In all our programs and services, our personnel are guided by established guidelines and implementing rules and regulations. We also ask for the cooperation of all our partners and stakeholders in the observance of the guidelines for us to have a smooth and unconstrained service delivery this season,” Aplaten said.
The DSWD is advising individuals who need to avail of the programs and services of the agency to directly visit the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Offices in their respective provinces or visit DSWD FO CAR Regional Office at #40 North Drive, Baguio City.
They may also reach DSWD FO CAR through ( +637 4) 661-0430 or ( +632) 396-6580, through e-mail at [email protected], or through Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dswdcordilleraregion. (JDP/RMC PIA-CAR/DSWD-CAR)
