A bill seeking to establish a social pension program for persons with disabilities (PWDs) was filed in the House of Representatives in early October as part of efforts to expand government support for the sector.
House Bill No. 5400 proposes a P1,500 monthly stipend for poor disabled people, aimed at providing “regular financial support” for basic needs such as food and shelter and reducing the economic burden on families.
“PWDs face unique challenges that often hinder their full participation in society,” Palawan Rep. Rosalie Ang Salvamay said in the explanatory note to the bill, which was filed on Oct. 9.
He said that although there are laws providing support to people with disabilities, “there remains a gap in institutional financial support for PWDs, especially those who are poor, unemployed or unable to earn a reasonable livelihood.”
According to the bill, to qualify, disabled persons must be registered with the disability registry of their local government, must be certified as poor and must not be receiving any pension from government or private institutions. – Kenneth Christian L. basilio
