The Commission on Election (Comelec) exempted 28 programs of the Department of Social Welfare (DSWD) from the 2025 midterm elections spending ban, subject to three additional conditions for “strict compliance.”
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body approved the exemption upon the DSWD’s request to continue its programs aiding the poor, including the controversial Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
The exempted amount for AKAP was indicated at P882.97 million.
Exempted DSWD programs include:
- 1. Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)
- 2. Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP)
- 3. Services for Residential and Center-based Clients
- 4. Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP)
- 5. Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens
- 6. Implementation of RA No. 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016
- 7. Protective Services for Individuals & Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances – COMBASED
- 8. Protective Services for Individuals & Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances –PROPER
- 9. Services to Displaced Persons (Deportees)
- 10. Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons
- 11. Assistance to Persons with Disability & Senior Citizens
- 12. National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction
- 13. KALAHI-CIDSS-KKB
- 14. Philippines Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP)
- 15. Bangsamoro Umpungan sa Nutrisyon (BangUn)
- 16. PAMANA – Peace & Development
- 17. PAMANA – DSWD/LGU Led Livelihood
- 18. Pag-Abot Program
- 19. Philippine Food Stamp Program/Walang Gutom Program (WGP)
- 20. Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP)
- 21. KALAHI-CIDSS-National Community-Driven Development Program – Additional Financing (NCDDP-AF)
- 22. Beneficiary First Project (BFIRST)
- 23. Trust Receipt
- 24. Tara Basa! Tutoring Program
- 25. Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty – National Program Management Office
- 26. Social Technology Development and Enhancement
- 27. Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS)
- 28. Financial assistance that is routinary and normally given by the department to qualified individuals
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian submitted the agency’s exemption request on Dec. 19, 2024, covering the department’s “promotive and protective services programs, projects, and activities.”
“The letter requests for exemption from the provision of Section 261(v)(2) of the Omnibus Election Code, as implemented by Resolution No. 11060, promulgated on 13 September 2024 for purposes of the 12 May 2025 National and Local Elections, and BARMM Parliamentary Elections,” the Comelec’s memorandum read.
