A lawmaker on Tuesday urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to petition the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to exempt all the aid transactions of the department from the ban on public spending under Comelec Resolution No. 10747.

In a letter addressed to DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista, Albay Representative Joey Salceda said the prohibition has an exemption clause that could allow the disbursement of funds under social amelioration programs, such as the Aid for Individuals in Crisis Situations and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), to go unimpeded “for such other expenses as the Commission may authorize after due notice and hearing.”

Salceda stressed the need to ensure that the emergency financial assistance programs of the DSWD will continue to be distributed to “the neediest individuals and families”, adding that the country cannot afford a slowdown in emergency and crisis aid.

“I am certain that you are aware of the potential consequences of such a prohibition on aid disbursement during a once-in-a-lifetime crisis. The prohibition, if not lifted for DSWD, will no doubt delay economic recovery and cause undue hardship to millions of Filipinos,” he said.

Resolution No. 10747 includes “The Department of Social Welfare and Development and other offices in other departments of the government performing functions similar to said department,” in its public spending ban from March to May 2022.

Salceda assured Bautista that he will support the petition as Co-Chair of the House Economic Stimulus and Recovery Cluster.

“They could even include safeguards against electioneering if they deem it proper. But aid should face no delay, especially in these difficult times. Crisis situations do not take an election holiday,” Salceda said. (PNA)