‘Voter education’ set for 4Ps beneficiaries

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) intends to partner with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to conduct “voter education” among more than a million beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

The Comelec yesterday issued a statement expressing interest to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the DSWD.

Leading the project are Commissioner Socorro Inting for the Comelec and Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera for DSWD.

“The Comelec and the DSWD are forging a partnership for integrated and enhanced Voter Education Programs for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps beneficiaries and their families,” the commission said.

“The Technical Working Group for this partnership met today to work on the Memorandum of Agreement to proceed with this endeavor,” it added.

The poll body said that through this program, they are targeting more than a million households.

“They would be given orientations and instructions on nation-building and patriotism, as well as the essence of democracy through responsible, educated and accountable voting as integrated in the already existing modules,” it added.

Topics during the seminar include informing the public about the importance of being a voter, the step-by-step process of voter registration, qualifications and duties of elected officials in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan, and the fight against disinformation in elections.

The 4Ps is the national poverty reduction strategy of the government, through the DSWD.

Under the program, cash grants shall be provided to beneficiaries after they comply with a set of conditions required by the agency.

The Comelec has been conducting voter education seminars in different parts of the country. The poll body has long been looking to start a voters’ education campaign for 4Ps in an effort to prevent vote-buying which is rampant among poor Filipinos. — Mayen Jaymalin