
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will be submitting a request for exemption from the public spending ban under Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 10747 this week.
DSWD spokesperson Director Irene Dumlao said the department is hoping for a positive decision from the Comelec on their request to continue certain programs and services during elections.
"Tulad noong mga nakaraang election, and DSWD ay magsusumite muli ng request for exemption para sa pagpapatuloy ng implementasyon ng mahahalaga nating serbisyo, kasama na diyan yung mga infrastructure at procurement projects (Just like in previous elections, DSWD will again submit a request for exemption for the continued implementation of our essential services, including infrastructure and procurement projects)," Dumlao said during the Laging Handa public briefing on Monday, Feb. 21.
"Umaasa muli ang ating ahensiya ng positibong desisyon mula sa Comelec hinggil sa request natin for issuance of exemption upang maipgpatuloy na maipatupad natin yung mga programa sa gayon ay tuluy-tuloy natin ding matulungan yung ating mga kababayan lalo't higit at andiyan pa rin ang banta ng pandemya (Our agency is again hoping for a positive decision from the Comelec regarding our request for issuance of exemption so that we can continue to implement the programs to help our countrymen especially that there is still the threat of pandemic)," she added.
Dumlao pointed out that any assistance that the DSWD can deliver is important to alleviate the impact of the pandemic, especially on the poor and vulnerable sectors of the community.
It is expected that the DSWD will be able to submit a request for exemption to the Comelec this week.
"Sa kasalukuyan lamang po ay kinakalap lamang ang iba-ibang activities mula sa Central Office at field offices para ma-determine natin po ba yung pwede nating ifasttrack na disbursements at ano naman po yung programa at serbisyo na kinakailangan na magpatuloy (We are currently gathering the list of various activities from the Central Office and field offices so that we can determine what disbursements we can fast track and what programs and services are needed to continue)," Dumlao said.