The Department of Social Welfare and Development Office-Davao (DSWD-11) has maintained that politicians are not allowed during payouts of the social service programs such as Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program or AKAP.

A representative of DSWD-11 faced the Davao City Council and clarified that while politicians are not invited during payouts, they could not prevent them from coming to the venue.

DSWD-11 said the agency remains non-partisan.

“They are not really allowed and that is why we stand firm that we are non-partisan,” DSWD-11 Innovations Division OIC-Chief, Anne Jickain, said.

“Though we cannot stop them if ever, if that instances. But we are not inviting them, no invitation. But sometimes, in reality, we cannot sometimes stop them. But then, that’s the reason why we cannot see the presence of these personnel from DSWD,” Jickain added.

The City Council conducted an inquiry after the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) expressed apprehensions if they will attend the activities of DSWD-11 because of the presence of politicians.

The Local Government Code mandates the national agencies to coordinate with the local government units in terms of planning and implementation of programs.

Councilor Alberto Ungab also proposed that all requests for the use of barangay facilities in holding DSWD activities must be signed by the officials of the agency as there were requests for the use of facilities that do not have a signatory from DSWD.

“Therefore Mr. President if they are not wearing the uniform, they don’t have any ID, can the brgy. tell them to get out of the place?” Ungab raised a question during the session.

“We will look into that because as far as I know, we are instructed and we are mandated to wear ARTA IDs every time we are on official duty,” Jickain added.