CDN FILE PHOTO
Cebu City councilors put in place safeguards against unscrupulous persons wanting to take advantage of the increased benefits for Persons With Disabilities (PWD).
Before the Cebu City Council approved an ordinance increasing the yearly assistance given to PWDs from P5,000 to P12,000 yearly, some councilors expressed concern over the requirements set to qualify for the assistance.
Under the ordinance authored by Councilor Eugenio Gabuya, Jr., a new PWD applicant is required to get a medical certificate from a medical officer of the barangay health center of the barangay where he resides. He also needs to get a certification that he is a permanent resident of that barangay.
Certification
But Councilor Nida Cabrera said it is possible that people who have close relationships with barangay officials can just get the certification even if they are not really qualified.
To this, Gabuya said another safeguard under the ordinance is for the Department of Social Welfare and Services to review and verify the qualifications of the PWD applicant.
“If a person is cross-eyed, can he avail?” asked Councilor Sisinio Andales.
Gabuya said they can avail of the increased financial assistance.
During its regular session last week, the Cebu City Council approved the ordinance increasing the annual assistance to qualified PWDs in Cebu City to P12,000 – the same amount senior citizens are receiving from the city.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, however, has not yet approved the ordinance. If the mayor does not veto the ordinance, PWDs will get the increased financial assistance starting this year.
“It is the prime motive of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Cebu City that the fruits of development should be spread out to all its inhabitants specially to those persons with disabilities,” said Gabuya.
There are currently around 9,000 registered PWDs in the city. With the increase in assistance, it is anticipated that more PWDs would register.
Fail to Claim
The increased financial assistance will be released in quarterly tranches. Under the ordinance, PWDs who fail to claim their assistance for two consecutive times will be deleted from the list. But they may reapply as new applicants with the DSWS.
However, if they still fail to claim their assistance for another two consecutive times after being reenlisted, they will no longer be allowed to reapply.
The ordinance provides that the budget for the additional assistance be included in a supplemental budget this year.
Mayor Rama already submitted his first SB this year amounting to P3.39 billion mainly for the prepayment of the South Road Properties (SRP) loan. It doesn’t contain the additional assistance yet.