ILOILO – Thousands of potential beneficiaries will have to wait for financial assistance as the Iloilo Provincial Government suspended the release of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) aid and P200,000 checks for barangays to comply with the 45-day spending prohibition ahead of the November 2 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
The Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (OPSWDO) stopped releasing AICS financial assistance beginning September 18 and will keep the suspension in effect until November 1.
However, the OPSWDO clarified that walk-in clients may continue submitting documentary requirements and having their applications processed during the suspension. Actual payouts will resume only after the election-related prohibition is lifted or if there is an official postponement of the BSKE.
“We would like to inform you that starting September 18, 2026, Friday, the releasing of financial assistance is temporarily suspended at the Capitol. Meanwhile, AICS walk-in clients can still transact at the OPSWDO but their documents will only be until processing. Said clients will be informed of their schedule of release of their financial assistance once the banning is lifted or once there is an official information on the postponement of BSKE,” the OPSWDO announced.
The election restriction has also halted another major provincial assistance initiative.
The Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) – Iloilo Province Chapter temporarily suspended the distribution of P200,000 checks to barangays under the province’s “Bawat Barangay Makikinabang” Program.
The suspensions are in compliance with Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 11265 issued on August 5, which sets rules prohibiting the release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds for social services and housing-related projects in connection with the November 2 BSKE.
Section 261(v) of the Omnibus Election Code prohibits public officials and employees, including those in barangays and government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries, from releasing, disbursing or spending public funds for public works, social services and housing-related projects during the 45 days preceding a regular election, except for expenditures falling under authorized exemptions.
The restriction is intended to prevent government resources and publicly funded assistance from being released during the period immediately preceding an election.
Other government assistance programs will also be covered by election-related restrictions from October 23 to November 2, including the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Medical and burial assistance normally provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to qualified individuals, however, will continue.
Government agencies, officials or local government units seeking to have social welfare, service or housing-related projects exempted from the prohibition may file a request for exemption.
The application must identify the project, requesting agency or LGU, authorized requesting official, purpose and implementation period, amount to be released or spent, and active email address and contact number.
The deadline for filing requests for exemption is October 30, 2026./PN
