Comelec OKs DSWD request to exempt subsidy for rice retailers from election ban

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has approved the request of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to exempt the subsidy for rice retailers in the election spending ban for the 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE).

In a memorandum dated September 11, Comelec chairperson Erwin Garcia greenlighted the continuous release, disbursement, and expenditure of the agency’s public funds in relation to the financial assistance of the rice retailers affected by the price cap.

On September 6, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian sent a letter to the poll body appealing for the exemption of cash aid from the election spending ban.

While approved, Garcia reminded the DSWD that the request should not influence the conduct of the 2023 BSKE; and involve any distribution of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation from October 20 to October 30, except those that are normally given to qualified individuals.

It also should not prevent the conduct of preliminary investigation in cases where prohibited acts under the Omnibus Election Code occur.

Earlier in the day, Gatchalian said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants to finish the distribution of P15,000 financial assistance to rice retailers by September 14.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has been assisting in informing the beneficiaries of the cash grants, which will be coursed through the Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Marcos' Executive Order 39 mandates a price cap of P41 per kilogram for regular-milled rice, and P45 per kilogram for well-milled rice which became effective last September 5.

Advocacy groups have since sounded the alarm over the measure, saying this could result in lower farmgate prices to the detriment of farmers.—Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News