ILOILO – Financial assistance for Ilonggos in crisis is flowing again after the postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) cleared the way for the Iloilo Provincial Government to resume payouts that had been suspended under election spending restrictions.
The Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (OPSWDO) resumed releasing Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) benefits on Sept. 29 after receiving a memorandum from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) informing the province that financial assistance payouts could restart.
OPSWDO head Melvi Cuarte confirmed to Panay News that the Comelec memorandum allowed the provincial government to resume the distribution of aid.
The resumption provides relief to Ilonggos seeking medical, burial and calamity assistance, as well as aid intended for former rebels and other qualified beneficiaries.
Cuarte said OPSWDO was also preparing payout schedules for clients who went to the Provincial Capitol last week to submit documentary requirements while the release of assistance was suspended.
The office is gradually contacting these clients to inform them of their schedules.
The provincial government had temporarily suspended AICS payouts beginning Sept. 18 and initially expected the suspension to remain in effect until Nov. 1 because of Comelec restrictions associated with the scheduled Nov. 2 BSKE.
During the suspension, OPSWDO continued accepting and processing documents from walk-in applicants but withheld the actual release of financial assistance.
The suspension stemmed from Comelec Resolution No. 11265 issued on Aug. 5, which laid down rules prohibiting the release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds for social services and housing-related projects in connection with the Nov. 2 BSKE.
Section 261(v) of the Omnibus Election Code prohibits public officials and employees, including those in barangays and government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries, from releasing or spending public funds for public works, social services and housing-related projects during the 45 days before a regular election, except for expenditures falling under specified exemptions.
Aside from AICS, the Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) – Iloilo Province Chapter had temporarily suspended the distribution of P200,000 checks to barangays under its “Bawat Barangay Makikinabang” Program.
As of the report, the LnB-Iloilo Chapter had yet to announce when distribution of the funds would resume.
Other assistance programs covered by election-period restrictions from Oct. 23 to Nov. 2 included the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)./PN
