GOVERNMENT relief programs are under scrutiny amid accusations of being exploited as tools for vote buying, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is being criticized for alleged complicity.

Critics argue that aid initiatives such as Assistance to Individuals in Crises Situations (AICS), AKAP, and TUPAD are being manipulated by politicians to sway voters ahead of the upcoming elections.

The practice involves distributing aid during non-disaster periods to individuals who are not in immediate crisis, thereby violating the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits offering anything of value to influence voters.

Several political groups not only in Cagayan de Oro City raised concerns over the potential use of government cash aid for poor workers as a tool for vote buying in the 2025 midterm elections.

These groups expressed apprehension that such programs could be exploited to secure electoral gains rather than genuinely assisting those in need.

In an earlier response, critics like Renee Louise M. Co, spokesperson of the party-list group Kabataan, have called for a reevaluation of aid policies.

She suggested lawmakers should focus on increasing workers’ minimum wages instead of institutionalizing programs like the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP), which some see as susceptible to misuse.

Experts warn that using relief programs for electoral purposes undermines the fairness of the electoral process and erodes public trust in government institutions.

Also, the Kauban Ta Uy movement condemned the DSWD and called out the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for what they perceived as inaction.

"Comelec is turning a blind eye while taxpayer money is being misused for electoral gains," BenCy Ellorin, their spokesperson said.

Even the recent conflicts at the Canitoan relocation site further spotlight the issue.

The City Housing and Urban Development Department (CHUDD) questioned why relief efforts at the site were not coordinated with local authorities.

In a letter to DSWD regional director Ramel Jamen, CHUDD emphasized that relief distribution at relocation sites should involve local government units to prevent conflicts and ensure proper oversight.

As the election season approaches, Ellorin called for stricter enforcement, and oversight of relief programs is intensifying.

He warns that the continued misuse of aid for vote buying could have lasting negative effects on the integrity of elections and public confidence in government agencies.