Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) officer-in-charge Emmanuel A. Leyco recently took note of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) campaigns claiming ownerships of programs administered by the government agency, affirming programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Service (KALAHI-CIDSS) are not conducted through any individual office.

“DSWD programs and services are independent of the offices of politicians,” he stated in a press release. “While we do coordinate with local elected officials, including those at the barangay level, when it comes to implementation of our programs, they remain as programs and initiatives of the DSWD.”

“We appeal to barangay re-electionists and candidates to refrain from spreading false information that they can, for instance, remove or have community residents removed or de-listed from 4Ps if they do not vote for them,” the cabinet official added.

The agency also noted such claims are a violation of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, the DSWD is asking the public to report any cases where candidates are using government programs as part of their campaign./WDJ