Yap seeks monthly cash aid for PWDs

With the continuous skyrocketing prices of basic goods and other commodities, Benguet Cong. Eric Go Yap and other lawmakers renewed their push for a monthly cash aid of P1,000 for indigent persons with disabilities (PWDs) to help with their daily subsistence.   

Yap said despite current legislation which aims to provide support in terms of employment, education, health, and accessibility among others, PWDs are still at a disadvantage in several facets of society. 

House Bill No. 1754 co-authored by Edvic Yap, Jocelyn Tulfo, Ralph Tulfo, and Jeffrey Soriano noted that many PWDs are burdened with other expenses, such as medical bills.

The bill added PWDs experience disproportionately high poverty rates as they have additional expenditures related to their disability which depend on their functional difficulties, health conditions, support needs, and other expenses related to the lack of accessibility and inclusiveness in their communities.

“To enable them to overcome the social barriers deterring them to have better life conditions, they need more comprehensive, inclusive, and adequate support,” the bill adds.

The measure will seek to institute an enabling mechanism for indigent PWDs to provide for their immediate needs by granting them a monthly subsidy.         

Under the proposal, all poor PWDs, as certified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), will receive a subsidy from the DSWD.

This assistance “may be waived if the PWD is capable of supporting his/her own self or his/her family,” as assessed by the DSWD field office.

Anyone who deliberately commits fraud to enroll a PWD who is not indigent will be slapped with a fine of not less than P50,000 but not more than P200,000, depending on whether or not it is a first or a repeat violation. ###