Mandaue to release financial aid before election ban starts

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City Government has notified the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that it will be distributing financial assistance to various recipients before the election ban starts on March 28.

The recipients are senior citizens, single parents, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Mandaue City Administrator Jamaal James Calipayan said that the city government planned to distribute the financial assitance before the 45-day spending ban for the national and local elections in May.

The spending ban for this year is set on March 28 to May 11, 2025.

The country's election code bars agencies or local government units from disbursing funds within 45 days before the election day to prevent the misuse of state resources for campaign purposes.

However, Comelec Resolution 11060 has allowed "social welfare and services projects and housing-related projects" to continue during the spending ban, provided that agencies secure a certificate of exemption from the poll body.

As reported, the Comelec has authorized the government to proceed with the Ayuda Sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) and 27 other welfare initiatives for this year’s midterm elections period, provided that no candidates are present during the distribution.

Another significant program granted exemption is the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Other exempted initiatives include the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), the Stamp Program/Walang Gutom Program, and the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens.

Calipayan clarified that the City Government did not seek an exemption for the distribution of financial assistance, saying, there was no need. The City Government simply informed the poll body of its plans to distribute the assistance before March 28.

Calipayan said the City aims to distribute the assistance by the end of February and planned to complete it before March 28.

“We will be able to distribute it before the time, mahuman na ta,” said Calipayan.

He said they are taking this initiative to ensure that beneficiaries, particularly senior citizens, would not be deprived of the assistance due them from the local government.

“Ato nalang gisayo-sayo kay kahibaw ta sa inflation,” said Calipayan.

He assured that the City Budget Office is prepared for the distribution of financial assistance as the beneficiaries have already been identified since last year and the needed budget has been allocated for the program.