City releases financial aid to PWDs

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu City government yesterday started distributing P2,000 financial assistance to each of the over 4,000 differently-abled residents of the city.

The Department of Social Welfare and Services, which is tasked to distribute the financial aid, noticed an increase in the number of beneficiaries. DSWS staff Virginia Piccio said from last year's 2,178 beneficiaries the number has soared to 4,378 this year.

Those who are entitled of the benefits must be registered voters of the city or their children. The distribution started yesterday until Thursday.

DSWS decided to accommodate over 1,000 beneficiaries everyday until Thursday to avoid congestion at the City Hall.

Piccio said those who were given their cash incentives yesterday are those listed from one up to 1,004. Today DSWS will only accommodate those who are from 1,005 up to 2,028 on the priority list. On Wednesday 2,029 to 3,062 will be entertained and the rest and those who failed in the first three days will be given the chance on Thursday.

Giving of financial assistance to persons with disabilities in the city was started by then mayor and now South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña. Mayor Michael Rama decided to continue with the program.

The amount, however, is only half of what was granted to over 30,000 senior citizens in the city. (FREEMAN)