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DSWD Promises No Public Officials During Aid Distribution
Philippine Secretary of Social Welfare and Development Rex Gatchalian vowed that public officials will not be present during aid distributions to prevent government programs from being used for personal political gain, adhering to the "Anti-Epal" policy and emphasizing that taxpayer-funded programs are the government's achievement.
MANILA, Philippines — Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Thursday asserted that government programs should not be credited to individuals for their personal gains. In an interview at Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon television program, he guaranteed that there will be no public officials present at the program payouts of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). He believes that credit should go to the government as mandated by the “Anti-Epal” policy. Although Gatchalian mentioned that public servants help organize programs and manage logistics, he reiterated that it should not be used for their personal campaigns. “We will refuse to roll out the program if the provisions on the ‘Anti-Epal’ aren’t followed,” the secretary said. READ: DSWD: Report politicians using 4Ps for campaign The “Anti-Epal” is a provision under the General Appropriations Act that prohibits government officials from placing their names, photos, logos and presence on any taxpayer-funded government projects, which includes DSWD programs. This provision is also meant to deter political patronage—wherein a politician maintains loyalty using government programs. “We want our fellow citizens to realize that the money they receive comes from the taxes they pay, not from anyone else,” Gatchalian said in Filipino. Meanwhile, the secretary reminded the public that the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program remains the department’s priority program, as this is where 50% of DSWD’s funds are allocated. Earlier this year, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla warned that politicians who continue to use government programs for personal gain may face administrative cases and preventive suspension. READ: Remulla: ‘Epal’ politicians face suspension, administrative cases In a cash aid distribution site of DSWD in March, Marcos ordered the removal of a tarpaulin bearing his photo to emphasize the commitment of the executive branch to the “Anti-Epal” policy. — Geneson Satsatin/INQUIRER.net trainee
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