Cebu City Council Okays Cash Aid Hike For PWDs To PHP12,000 A Year

The Cebu City Council has approved an ordinance increasing the city government’s annual financial assistance to persons-with-disabilities (PWDs) from PHP5,000 to PHP12,000 a year.

Cebu City Councilor Eugenio Gabuya, author of the ordinance, said the newly-approved measure will benefit around 12,000 PWDs in the city, based on the records of the city’s Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS).

“This ordinance aims to help the extra costs PWDs may have because of their impairment,” the ordinance states.

The PWDs in the city have been receiving a cash assistance of PHP5,000 each every year from the city government, while the senior citizens get PHP12,000 each annually.

The new measure makes the cash aid to PWDs at par with that of the city’s 60,000 senior citizens.

If the measure will be approved by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, the city will have to shell out PHP144 million annually for this program alone.

The city sets aside at least PHP720 million a year for the cash assistance to senior citizens.

The ordinance states that the PHP12,000 cash aid will be given to all qualified PWDs on a quarterly basis. (PNA) FFC/EB/EDS