The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reiterated that the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is insulated from partisan politics and strongly opposes any act that would use it to advance the political agenda or interest of certain groups or individuals.

This came following reports about incidents that occurred during the pay-out activities of cash grants this month. In some regions, the beneficiaries were made to believe that the cash grants they were receiving were bonuses from a politician who has announced his plan to run for an elective position in the 2016 national elections.

“The DSWD always ensures that the Pantawid Pamilya is protected from undue politicking and must remain free of political influence and manipulation, and that the rights of the program-beneficiaries are safeguarded,” DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said.

The DSWD also learned that the beneficiaries were allegedly threatened that the implementation of the program will not be continued if they will not vote for the politician.

“This is not true and is just a desperate move of some political personalities who are attempting to use the program for their political advancement,” Sec. Soliman said.

DSWD emphasized that it is steadfast in safeguarding the non-partisan stand of Pantawid Pamilya and its beneficiaries, and that it supports free and honest elections.

“Also, through our Family Development Sessions and previous campaigns, our beneficiaries are aware that the grants they received came from the national government, and even the process of their selection into the program was based solely from the targeting system called Listahanan and therefore is not subject to any political influence or decision,” Sec. Soliman further explained.

DSWD encourages the public to be more vigilant and we also enjoin the general public to report politicians claiming credit from the program or such activities that aims to discredit the integrity of Pantawid Pamilya. The public may file their complaints through the Grievance Text Hotline 09189122813or via social media (facebook/ twitter: Tanggapan ng Reklamo), or they can visit the nearest DSWD Regional Office or their Municipal Links.