A party-list representative has taken the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to task for spending P10.5 million of its funds for the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program on an anti-epal campaign

“The DSWD wants to use people’s money for something not within its mandate or expertise. Further, given the wide definition of what epal is, the funds can be used for partisan political activity against the critics of the 4Ps and the Aquino administration,” said Rep. Teddy Casiño of Bayan Muna party-list.

Casiño, who is seeking a Senate seat under the Makabayan party-list banner, was referring to the Social Welfare department’s invitation published on December 31, 2012, which went: Hiring of service provider for the newspaper publications and the production and airing of TV and radio commercials for the “Bawal ang EPAL dito” campaign of the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) or CCT.

The CCT program grants cash assistance to the poorest of the poor provided that they comply with conditions promoting health and education.

Casiño noted that the agency’s mission is to develop, implement and coordinate social protection and poverty reduction solutions for and with the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged.

“Nowhere in its functions can we find anything about it spearheading an anti-epal campaign.

Are they now taking over the functions of the Comelec [Commission on Elections], Namfrel [The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections] and PPCRV [Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting]?” Casiño asked.

The three organizations are waging a campaign against premature campaigning by candidates who printed their names or faces or both in billboards of government projects for easier recognition among voters.

Casiño, however, is not convinced that the Social Welfare department, which is also a part of the administration, should be in charge of preventing possible premature campaigning.

“I fear this will just be a waste of money. We will be better off spending the huge amount for the victims of typhoons Pablo [Bopha] and Quinta [Wukong],” he said.

Earlier, House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez of Quezon expressed his fears that the CCT program would be used as a political tool by some administration tickets in the 2013 elections.