After being abused in past election years, it’s high time the ayuda programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development be freed from the malpractices of politicians starting in 2026, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Monday.
Lacson stressed that DSWD personnel should be allowed to implement ayuda programs without politicians’ interference so such programs will not be turned into a matter of patronage politics.
In his interpellation of the DSWD’s 2026 budget, Lacson also commended the Senate finance committee and subcommittee for bringing down to zero the budget for Strengthening Assistance for Social Programs, which would have gotten funding from unprogrammed appropriations.
“We must fix the DSWD’s budget. I’m all for helping the needy but this should be data-driven and there should be a clear program. It should not be whimsical, arbitrary and politically motivated,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English, in his interpellation of the DSWD’s 2026 budget.
“I talked to Senate finance committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian and we agreed it’s about time we streamline the DSWD’s budget because it is being abused,” he added.
In Filipino: Lacson: Itigil ang Political Abuse sa Ayuda Programs ng DSWD
Continue reading “Lacson Calls for End to Political Abuse of DSWD’s Ayuda Programs”
