The Department of Social Welfare and Development recently reminded the public that candidates running for positions in the upcoming elections shouldn’t use the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to boost their campaigns, stressing that only the agency was authorized to enroll and delist beneficiaries of the program.
“We also don’t just hastily remove [or add] beneficiaries into the program. It is also clearly stated in the law – Republic Act 11310 or the 4Ps Act – who can become beneficiaries,” said Marie Grace Ponce, DSWD social marketing division chief.
“Don’t [be fooled by] politicians or candidates saying that they can [help] you [get into] with the program,” she added.
Candidates or politicians who promise to help include or expel anybody from the flagship poverty alleviation program should be reported, the DSWD said.
Ponce cited DSWD Memorandum Circular No. 9 issued in 2021 that sets guidelines to ensure that the agency’s programs are protected against politicking, especially during the election period.
Aside from the 4Ps of the DSWD, other doleouts that could be exploited by politicians are the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD), Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS). Hopefully the government agencies responsible for these doleouts are also on alert against unscrupulous politicians and candidates who do not hesitate to take credit for government doleouts to further their own ends.
The campaign period of party list groups and individuals vying for seats in the Senate started on February 11, while local candidates officially start campaigning on March 28.
Hopefully by then the Commission on Elections, in consonance with the government agencies responsible for the numerous dole outs that are vulnerable to being used by politicians and candidates, will have implemented the necessary safeguards, precautions, and penalties to ensure that government funds are not misused during this crucial election period.*
