The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has exempted several programs of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) from the imposed spending ban for the synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE).

In a memorandum dated September 7 and released on September 14, Comelec said the following DOLE programs shall continue to be implemented:

• Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES)
• Government Internship Program (GIP)
• JobStart Philippines Program (JSP
• Department of Labor and Employment Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Programs (DILEEP) - KABUHAYAN program and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).

"There is an absolute necessity to continuously implement said programs even during the period of the election ban. Said programs have long been established and are continuing in nature," the poll body said, adding that disbursing the public funds to the millions of target beneficiaries is urgent.

The Comelec assured that control measures, which will guarantee that the distributions will not be utilized for political activities for the October polls, are in place.

On Wednesday, the Comelec also approved the request of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to continue the roll of cash assistance to small rice retailers, who are affected by the rice price cap, despite the BSKE-related ban.

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia has also announced that it decided to exempt the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) from distributing fuel subsidies for operators of public and modern utility vehicles, tricycles, and private vehicles, which began last Wednesday, September 13.

Under Comelec Resolution No. 10944, the DSWD, and other departments of the government with similar functions, are "prohibited to release, disburse, or expend public funds except for salaries of personnel, and for such other routine and normal expenses, and for such other expenses as the Commission may authorize."