CH to distribute PWD aid Friday

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City is set to roll out its next financial assistance distribution for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) tomorrow, just days before the nationwide observance of the 48th National Disability Rights Week.

The Department of Social Welfare Services is tasked with implementing the program, which will cover two months' worth of aid for May and June.

Felipe Pimentel of the City PWD Office told THE FREEMAN that the July allocation is not yet included, although the distribution is being conducted this month.

Around 16,000 registered PWDs are expected to benefit, with nearly 700 bedridden beneficiaries receiving special arrangements to ensure they are not left behind.

The timing of the distribution aligns with Proclamation No. 597, Series of 2024, which declared July 17–23 of every year as National Disability Rights Week, superseding earlier proclamations.

This year's theme, “Rights First, Legislation Forward – Strategic Action for Equal Participation and Inclusive Development,” was highlighted in a Department of the Interior and Local Government advisory signed by Undersecretary Marlo L. Iringan.

The directive calls on local government units to display official streamers and conduct activities promoting disability rights in coordination with the National Council on Disability Affairs.

At present, financial assistance for Persons with Disabilities in Cebu City is officially set at P1,000 per month per beneficiary. However, in practice, the assistance has often been released in lump sums every two or three months rather than on a strict monthly basis.

This arrangement contrasts with the recent adjustments to the senior citizens' aid program, which was formally reverted to a quarterly schedule under amended ordinances, ensuring that senior citizens now receive their benefits every three months through fixed releases. — /IHM (FREEMAN)