By Dominic I. Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD) here is renewing its call to the beneficiaries
of its poverty-alleviation programs to not be threatened by politicians who may
use said programs to their advantage.
Earlier, DSWD-9 Regional Director Zenaida Arevalo said
that members of the Pantawid Pamilya “owe nothing to politicians,” hence they
should not be taken advantage of by politicians.
Since 2013 the DSWD has been campaigning for the
beneficiaries to be aware of their rights as members of Pantawid. It used the
slogan “Bawal ang Epal Dito” (Epals are illegal here), emphasizing that Epals,
a Tagalog slang for someone who likes to butt in on others’ accomplishments and
use it for their own advantage, are not to be tolerated.
One example, shared by DSWD-9 Information Officer Ivan
Salvador, is when politicians threaten Pantawid members of being de-listed from
the program if they do not favor them, particularly during campaigns and
elections.
“They cannot do this, since only the DSWD has the
authority to de-list a beneficiary if they are delinquent in their
co-responsibilities,” Director Arevalo said.
Other scenarios include politicians that print tarpaulins
with their pictures cropped alongside DSWD programs.
Meanwhile, Salvador said that guidelines for this year’s
campaign would be released by the national office. He expects that there will
be a rollout of forums on the Anti-Epal advocacy.
Salvador especially appeals to the members of the media to
help them disseminate the anti-epal advocacy drive. “We really need the help of
our stakeholders in this, especially the media to reach out to all our
beneficiaries who may be taken advantage of in the coming elections,” he said.
Pantawid Pamilya this year
has been allocated over P64 billion to cover its over 4 million
household-beneficiaries all over the country.