LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Rep. Eric G. Yap filed House Bill (HB) No. 1754 mandating the provision of monthly subsidy for indigent persons with disability (PWDs) as part of the government’s efforts to cater to the needs of the members of the country’s vulnerable and marginalized sectors.
Under the proposed measure, all indigent PWDs, as verified and certified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), will be entitled to a monthly subsidy amounting to P1,000.
“Maraming hirap na hinaharap ang ating PWDs. Bukod sa basic necessities, may extra pa silang pagkakagastusan para lang mapagaan ang kanilang pakiramdam. Dagdag pa sa mahal na bilihin, hirap rin sila pambili ng kanilang pang-maintenance o therapy. Kadalasan, kung kapos talaga, tinitiis na lang nila yung kalagayan nila,” Congressman Yap stressed.
While PWDs enjoy at least 20% discount and exemption from the value added tax on the sale of certain goods and services identified under Republic Act No. 9442, Yap said the additional P1000 will be of big help to their needs.
“Sa pagsisimula ng 19th Congress, ang goal natin ay magkaroon ng batas na mabigyan ng monthly subsidy ang ating PWDs. HIndi man sapat pero malaking tulong na rin ang P1,000 para makabili sila ng gamot o ng iba pang pangangailangan kada buwan. I encountered a lot of PWDs sa pag-iikot natin and talagang they need help and hopefully my colleagues in Congress will agree,” he added.
However, the Benguet lawmaker is hoping the program will not be abused by those tasked to oversee its implementation so that only deserving indigent PWDs will actually benefit from the provision of the said subsidy.
“The challenge here is the proper identification of beneficiaries, we don’t want another 4Ps problem kung saan may mga hindi qualified na nakakatanggap ng tulong. Under the proposed measure, DSWD will play the lead role and kailangan mahanap ang mga totoong PWDs at syempre mga indigent talaga. Big challenge but nothing that a good planning can’t overcome”, he said.
Yap said programs to help indigent PWDs are among his priority to ease their burden as some of them have lost their livelihood during the pandemic.
“It is our duty to provide a comprehensive, inclusive, and adequate support to our PWDs. Mandato natin na gumawa ng mekanismo para mapadali ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan, lalo ng ating PWDs. Dagdag lang ito sa mga assistance na meron tayo para sa ating PWDs katulad ng libreng pagpapagamot sa Benguet General Hospital at iba pang government hospitals, pamamahagi ng wheelchairs at iba pang assistive devices, at iba pa” the solon further stated.
“Ito ay pagpapatuloy ng ating nasimulan. Prayoridad natin na maging inklusibo at progresibo ang ating mga programa para siguruhin na walang kailyan ang maiiwan,” Yap pronounced.
The proposed bill will be referred by the House of Representatives to the appropriate committee for deliberations prior to its submission to the plenary for further debates and amendments and eventual approval where the same will be transmitted to the Senate for the passage of a counterpart measure.
