AS national and local campaigns intensify, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) enjoins the public, especially its program beneficiaries, to report candidates who are using the programs, projects and services of the department, like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, to advance their political agenda.
To safeguard its programs and services from any political interference, the Department issued Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 9 or the “Policy Guidelines on Strengthening Partnership with Stakeholders During Election and Non-Election Periods.”
The policy provides for the grievance mechanism of the Department in responding to reports on politicians using and/or mentioning any of the programs of DSWD in their campaign speeches or strategies.
Among those which can be reported by the public are putting names of politicians in relief items; repacking of relief goods and distribution of such as their own supplies; and/or claims that any DSWD goods or programs are provided due to their influence.
Likewise, under the MC, employees are reminded to be non-partisan in the implementation of the Department’s programs and services. This is especially important as the Department was allowed by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) through Resolution 9615 to implement all its regular programs. Also, programs which are conducted under foreign agreements are also allowed to continue even during election period.
Activities which involve the gathering of beneficiaries are likewise allowed, such as meeting with volunteers or parent leaders when needed, as long as these are not held for any politician.
Aside from the issuance of the MC, the DSWD also entered into a Tripartite Agreement with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the COMELEC for the reimplementation of the 2013 Memorandum of Agreement and Joint Memorandum Circular seeking to safeguard DSWD programs and services from political interference and political partisan activities.
The DSWD is one with the nation in achieving the goal of a fair and honest elections. ###
Photo courtesy UNICEF
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