PWDs in CV Benefit from Cash-For-Work Program

Over 32,000 persons with disabilities (PWDs) have received their salary from the Cash-For-Work program of the government.

The program was made possible with the partnership of the Department of Social Welfare and Development 7 (DSWD-7) and the Development’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS).

DSWD released a total of P128.6 million to 32,336 PWDs in 129 LGUs in Central Visayas.

In a press release, DSWD-7 said that PWD beneficiaries worked up to 10 days.

“The PWD beneficiaries worked for 6-10 days in their respective communities and received the minimum regional wage of Php 435.00 per day,” the statement reads.

The beneficiaries’ jobs include cleaning and disinfecting public facilities, tree-planting, gardening, carpentry works, and street sweeping, as well as clerical tasks such as recording attendance and assisting in on-demand activities in LGU offices.

Moreover, DSWD-7 Director Shalaine Marie Lucero said in a video message that the program helped empower PWDs in the region.

“We ensure that their disability is not a problem for the delivery of these community services, their mobility is favorable for them, and they can move around to perform the work assigned to them,” Lucero said.

The whole province of Cebu had 16,143 PWD beneficiaries and released P68,335,890 as salary, followed by Negros Oriental with 8,281 — P30,425,638 salary released in total.

Meanwhile, 7,333 PWD beneficiaries have also received their salaries in Bohol (P27,509,400 salary released in total). 579 PWD beneficiaries in Siquijor also received their salary (P1,952,340 in total salary released).

Furthermore, Lucero calls for families with PWD members to respect the rights of PWDs.

“We encourage those with PWD children or members of their family to be mainstreamed in society. Allow them to go out, and give them the opportunity to join PWD groups or organizations. In this way, we are giving them the chance to better their lives,” Lucero said. (ASC)