PWDs cash aid may be released by the end of the month

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva said she will try her best to release the initial cash assistance of persons with disabilities (PWDs) before the end of the month.

Virginia Perigo, a personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWD) in-charge of PWDs, said only 6,233 differently-abled persons are expected to receive the initial P2,000 cash assistance. 

Perigo explained that the rest of about 12,000 PWDs in Cebu City will not be able to receive their cash assistance this month because they submitted their supporting documents late, while others are not yet qualified to receive the grant.

“Daghan man gud ‘sab sa mga PWDs nga nagparehistro dinhi sa Cebu City nga bag-o pa, gikan sila sa laing lugar nga posible mibalhin dinhi kay nasayud nga dunay ihatag ang city sa mga PWD, (There are many PWDs who are newly-registered in Cebu City and are from other places. It’s possible that they moved here because they knew of the financial assistance for PWDs),” Perigo said.

In 2011, there were 8,900 PWDs registered in Cebu City, but only 6,757 of them received the P3,000 cash assistance because the others did not qualify with the requirements set by the city.

Only PWDs who voted during the 2007 elections may avail. If the beneficiaries are minors, their parents should be registered in the city and voted in the 2007 polls.

Leonilo Omayan, president of the Federation of Persons with Disabilities in Cebu City, said similar to the senior citizens, the PWDs also enjoy 20 percent discounts for medicines, food, transportation and others.

Perigo said that under the law, a PWD is not only limited to those with physical problems like being blind, hearing-impaired and others, but also includes those suffering from chronic diseases like cancer and those undergoing dialysis.

Even persons who could no longer read without the aid of eyeglasses may also be considered PWDs and may receive cash assistance from the city, but only those whose lenses are 500 grade or more.

If the PWDs will receive P2,000 initial cash assistance this month, each of them will be given another P1,000 as Christmas gift on December.

Mayor Michael Rama said he will see if the city can increase the cash assistance of the PWDs.  (FREEMAN)