Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31)— The Department of Health’s vaccination program against COVID-19 can continue without hitches despite the public spending ban running up to the May 9 polls.
Commission on Elections Commissioner George Garcia announced Thursday that Comelec en banc has granted the agency’s immunization projects exemption from the ban on government offices to release funds.
That ban is in place to deter electioneering, or the use of publicly-funded programs to further a politician’s candidacy.
The poll body also allowed the Department of Trade and Industry to continue offering its Resilient, Innovative, and Sustainable Entrepreneurs (RISE) program meant to help small businesses recover from the pandemic-induced economic crisis.
Comelec earlier allowed COVID-19 response initiatives of the office of Vice President Leni Robredo, as well as livelihood assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, to be exempt from the spending ban.
As a rule, the poll body exempts projects offered by national and local government units for the provision of social services. Comelec officials earlier said that projects of “humanitarian nature” are exempted from the ban, along with emergency disaster response and ongoing construction projects.
