DOLE to follow Comelec 10-day 'ayuda' ban

The Department of Labor and Employment said Thursday it will adhere to the ten-day ban on the distribution of all forms of assistance to be imposed by the Commission on Elections ahead of Eleksyon 2025.

“Meron kaming ban dahil ang direktiba ng Comelec. Bawal na ang payout,” said Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma.

(We will implement the ban as directed by the Comelec. The payout for the ayuda will be prohibited.)

DOLE has allocated P2.2 billion for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program.

This is part of the 2.57-billion fund provided for the DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP), which consists of TUPAD and DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP).

Over the weekend, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia reminded the public of the ayuda ban from May 2 to May 12, or ten days leading to the midterm elections.

Ayuda pertains to forms of cash assistance provided by the government. Garcia, in particular, said the 10-day ban covers Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), TUPAD, 4Ps, and the controversial Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

The TUPAD program is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment to displaced workers, unemployed and seasonal workers, for a minimum of 10 days but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of the work to be performed.

According to Laguesma, the DOLE will follow the ayuda ban but it will continue the delivery of social services including for those affected by the recent volcanic eruptions.

“Bukas bawal na mag-payout pero hindi bawal ang delivery of services. Ibig sabihin, kung may nangangailangan ipa-process natin subalit tatalima tayo sa direktiba. Walang payout ten days bago dumating ang halalan,” he said.

(The distribution of ayuda will be banned starting tomorrow but delivering services is not part of that. This means we will still process the applications for social services but there will be no payouts.)

“Medyo isang challenge kaso alam natin na as we speak, mayroon tayong mga kababayan na naapektuhan ng kalamidad. Ang challenge sa'min paano kami magpapaabot ng serbisyo na hindi ito pwedeng mabansagan na nangangampanya,” he said.

(This is a challenge for us because as we know, some Filipinos are affected by the calamities. It is a challenge for us to deliver services without being deemed as part of campaigning.)

Under the Omnibus Election Code, violations of the prohibitions constitute election offenses, punishable by imprisonment of not less than one year, but not more than six years, among other penalties provided for by law. —AOL, GMA Integrated News

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