BAGUIO CITY–Epal politicos running this coming barangay elections are being reminded again by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) not to use its programs especially the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, or Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) for their own political gains.

In the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), DSWD has re-launched the Bawal Ang Epal Dito Campaign to protect the integrity of the Pantawid Program and its beneficiaries.

DSWD-CAR Regional Director Leonardo C. Reynoso reminded the CCT beneficiaries that no politicians or any groups have the right to delist them from the Program.

“No one has the right to delist a beneficiary from the Pantawid Program. Only DSWD National and Regional Office has the right to do so”, he said.

CCT beneficiaries are only removed from the Program if they will not comply with the health and education conditionalities as well as the monthly Family Development Sessions.

The Bawal Ang Epal Dito or BaED was first launched during the national elections last May after verified reports that some politicians were using the CCT Program to influence voters especially its beneficiaries.

This coming barangay elections, BaED is re-launched to emphasize to CCT beneficiaries that they have the right to choose their local leaders freely without being threatened or intimidated.

DSWD- CAR has started intensifying its regional Bawal Ang Epal Dito campaign especially in the provinces in the region that have areas classified as hotspots during the national elections.  # DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Jomel Anthony V. Gutierrez