The Quezon City Government aims to register 8,000 beneficiaries in its Persons with Disability Social Welfare Assistance Program this year.
According to the QC Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), the city has initially enrolled 700 PWD beneficiaries in the program that grants a P1,500 quarterly subsidy to qualified indigent PWD QCitizens for one 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,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
The program, which is enacted through City Ordinance 3115-2022, covers indigent PWD QC residents not receiving any other financial aid from the national government thru GSIS, SSS, and 4Ps among others. It prioritizes the bedridden; PWDs with severe health conditions that seriously impair normal life; solo parent PWDs who struggle to provide for their children; a solo parent living with a child with disability; displaced PWD workers living alone; and PWDs living with senior citizen parents.
QCitizens who wish to be part of the program need to submit all documentary requirements to the nearest PDAO district office in their area. They have to present a PWD QCitizen ID and proof of residence from their barangay.
Additional requirements should also be presented including an 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.
After application, applicants will undergo an initial interview and verification from PDAO. They will then be assessed by social workers to verify their eligibility. Cash aid will be distributed to the eligible beneficiary every quarter via direct payment or through electronic or digital means.
Aside from social welfare assistance, the city is providing educational assistance to children with disabilities to support their special education or vocational classes. They receive P5,000 annually.
The city is also giving free mental health medicines at local health centers to those who need treatment for mental health conditions.
Partnerships and linkages are also being established with various agencies for employment purposes. In November, the city government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cabalen Group of Companies for the employment of Persons with Hearing Impairment in their restaurant chains.
The city government also provides free early disability assessment for children with disability (below 17 years old) through City Ordinance No. SP-2463 s-2015. It waives the fee of disability assessment conducted by a developmental pediatrician that usually costs around P4,000.
Hearing aids, wheelchairs, canes and other assistive devices are also distributed to Persons with Disabilities.
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