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A measure that seeks to institutionalize a Disability Support Fund for the benefit of persons with disabilities (PWDs) has been filed in the House of Representatives this 19th Congress. 

Embodied in OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa "Del Mar" Magsino's House Bill (HB) No.9828, the measure establishes the Disability Support Fund under the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA). 

The purpose of the fund is to support the undertaking of the Disability Support Allowance Program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It aims to provide a disability support allowance of P2,000 per month per eligible beneficiary, based on the criteria to be formulated by DSWD. 

“I hope my colleagues in the House of Representatives will support this measure and the provision of monthly disability support allowance to enable our PWDs and their families to access support services and provide them with productive opportunities to become contributing members of society," Magsino said in a statement. 

“Persons with disabilities are confronted with various challenges and barriers, which include limited mobility, stigma, discrimination, unequal access to education and employment opportunities, health and other social and public services, and incur extra expenses for assistive devices and personal assistance," she noted. 

She added that some PWDs are trapped in poverty and do not enjoy a quality standard of living. 

According to Magsino, the allowance will be indexed to inflation to preserve its positive impact on the standards of living and participation of people with disabilities.  

In combination with social protection programs and discounts PWDs are already entitled to under existing laws, the support allowance aims to address the higher costs of transportation, housing, nutrition, hygiene and temporary human assistance requirements, and other disability-related costs, as well as provide a basic income security for qualified PWDs. 

The proposed measure covers all PWDs certified under the Disability Assessment and Determination System, which prioritizes children and adults with significant disabilities and are facing high barriers and costs. The ultimate goal is to extend coverage to all registered PWDs, regardless of income levels. 

The program is envisioned to be implemented in gradation. 

The initial phase of the Disability Support Allowance Program, to be implemented in the first three years, shall prioritize provision of stipends for children with disabilities, adults with moderate and severe disability who are facing the highest barriers and disability-related costs; and PWDs who are recipients of social protection and economic empowerment programs such as but not limited to the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens.

The second phase of the program, to be implemented in the next three years, shall include all registered PWDs who have either no income or have low levels of income and PWDs who face disability-related extra costs which negatively affect adequate standard of living. The third phase, to be realized in six years after the start of the program’s implementation, shall endeavor to progressively cover all PWDs. 

Additionally, Magsino proposes to enhance the implementation of disability-focused social protection. 

A Disability Data Management System will be established to enhance the implementation of disability-focused social protection, and connected to the Philippine Statistics Authority's Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS).