By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
Nine programs of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), including the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), are exempted from the election ban, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Monday.
In Memorandum No. 24-07945, the poll body approved the request of Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma to allow the continued implementation of its social services programs during the election period.
“Upon evaluation, we find the request to have sufficiently complied with the requirements of Rule IV of Resolution No. 11060,” the memorandum, approved on Dec. 3, read.
“In view of the foregoing, the Law Department recommends the approval of the request for exemption of the DOLE,” it added.
Other exempted programs are: Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), Government Internship Program (GIP), JobStart Philippines Program (JSP), Adjustment Measures Program (AMP), and Workers Organization Development Program (WODP).
Also included are the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) which covers TUPAD, Financial Assistance Program to Distressed Migratory Sugarcane Workers (MSW), Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP), and EnTSUPERneur Program.
The TUPAD Program provides emergency employment for disadvantaged workers, offering 10 to 30 days of community work, especially during times of disaster and calamities, to help beneficiaries improve and rehabilitate their communities.
Concerned agencies are allowed to apply for exemptions from the ban by submitting the list of their respective projects, the name of the requesting agency, and the name and position of the person authorized to make such a request.
The Omnibus Election Code prohibits the release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds within 45 days before a regular election.
Comelec Resolution No. 11060 also bans the release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds for social welfare and services projects from the period of March 28 to May 11, 2025.