The Senate Committee on Social Justice Welfare and Rural Development has endorsed for plenary approval the measure seeking the establishment of a support fund for persons with disabilities or PWDs, for their empowerment and full inclusion in the community.

Together with the Senate Committee on Finance, Senate Bill No. 1602, filed in substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 31, 501 and 592, primarily seeks the creation of the Disability Support Fund and which would be known as the “Disability Support Fund Act” once it becomes a law.

Under the bill, persons who may benefit from the bill, who will be certified under the Disability Assessment and Determination System (DADS), would include those who have psychosocial disability, disability due to chronic illness or a health condition that lasts for a long time, learning disability, mental disability, visual impairment, communication disability, which could be classified as hearing and speech and language impairment.

The main proponents of the measure are Senators Manuel “Lito” Lapid, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. Risa Hontiveros and Imee Marcos.

Based on the Committee Report No. 16 on the proposed Disability Support Fund Act, the Fund will address the gaps in the program implementation currenty undertaken at the national and local level through programs and projects of the local government and civil society organizations.

Under the bill, local government units (LGUs) and accredited non-government organizations (NGOs) will be assisted by the government through funding to establish responsive services supporting independent living of PWDs.

Under the measure, beneficiaries stand to receive P2,000 a month, per individual beneficiary, which will be indexed to inflation.

According to the bill, all PWDs, who would be certified under the DADS, that is based on a human rights approach, shall be covered by the proposed Act. However, “priority shall initially be given to children with disabilities and adults with significant disabilities who are facing the highest barriers and disability-related costs.”

Nevertheless, the bill will eventually cover all registered PWDs who have either no income or have low levels of income and as well as PWDs who face disability-related extra costs which deprive them of an adequate standard of living.

Lapid, earlier, defended the bill, saying the measure would help many of the country’s PWDs cope with the economic difficulties they are facing.

Marami po sa ating mga kababayang PWD ay walang maayos na napagkukunan ng kanilang mga panggastos. Hirap po sila makahanap ng pangtustos. Hindi lamang para sa kaniiang mga pangangailangan, kundi pati na para sa kanilang gamutan (Many of our PWD compatriots do not have proper resources for their expenses. It's hard for them to find a livelihood to sustain, not only for their personal needs, but also for their treatment),” Lapid said in his bill.

“Maliit man na halaga ito subalit makatutulong po ito ng malaki para sa mga kababayan po

nating tunay na nangangailangan (The amount may be small but it will be a huge help for our countrymen who are truly in need),” the senator said.