The Quezon City government said on Friday, Feb. 17, that it aims to register 8,000 indigent persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the city as beneficiaries of its financial assistance program for this year.
The city’s Persons with Disability Social Welfare Assistance Program provides help to indigent PWDs living in the city who are not receiving any other financial aid from the national government.
It was enacted through City Ordinance 3115-2022 approved by Mayor Joy Belmonte in April last year.
"Limitado 'yung mga natatanggap na tulong ng mga PWD mula sa iba-ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan. Kaya binuo natin itong programang ito para kahit papaano ay makatulong sa gastusin ng kanilang pamilya lalo na ngayong tumataas ang presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin (The assistance received by PWDs from other government agencies is limited. So we developed this program to somehow help their family's expenses especially now the price of basic goods is increasing)," Belmonte said.
The city government said the program prioritizes the bedridden, PWDs with severe health conditions that seriously impair normal life, solo parent PWDs who struggle to provide for their children, solo parent living with a child with disability, displaced PWD workers living alone, and PWDs living with senior citizen parents.
It said that there are already 700 indigent PWDs who were initially listed for the program which grants P1,500 quarterly subsidy to qualified beneficiaries for one year as per the QC Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO).
Residents who want to be part of the program must submit requirements to the nearest PDAO office in their areas, which include their PWD QCitizen identification cards; proof of residence from their barangays; updated medical certificate and photo of the bedridden PWD resident; certification from the previous company for a displaced PWD employee; PWD QC ID of the child with disability and certification from the Social Services Development Department (SSDD) for indigent solo parents living with CWDs; and the Senior Citizen QC IDs for PWDs who live with their senior citizen parents.
The city government said the applicants will undergo initial interview and verification from the PDAO, and will be assessed by social workers to verify their eligibility.
The cash assistance will be given to eligible beneficiaries every quarter via direct payment or through electronic/digital mean, it added.
Aside from the financial assistance program, the local government also provides annual P5,000 educational assistance to children with disabilities to support their special education or vocational classes.
Free mental health medicines are also distributed at the city’s local health centers for those who need treatment for mental health conditions. The city is also establishing partnerships with various agencies for the employment of PWDs.
Through City Ordinance No. SP-2463 s-2015, the city government provides free early disability assessment for minors with disabilities aged 17 and below.
The PWDs in the city can also get hearing aids, wheelchairs, canes and other assistive devices distributed by the local government.