More than 7,000 persons with disabilities in Taguig City are set to receive P1,000 birthday cash gift this year after members of the city council passed an ordinance granting its release.
Ordinance No. 29-2017, according to city’s Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office officer-in-charge Helario Supaz, is part of the initiative program of Mayor Laarni Cayetano and the city council’s to give more assistance to all residents in the city, particularly the disadvantaged.
“We are very happy for our PWD community because this ordinance confirms the city government’s commitment to their welfare,” Supaz added.
The city government conducted its first birthday cash gift distribution to a total of 669 PWD beneficiaries at the Lakeshore Hall last April. For the second quarter of this year, more than 1,400 beneficiaries have received their cash gift with the latest distribution conducted from July 19 to 21, 2018.
One of the beneficiaries, single parent Annaliza Adrineda, 39, received her birthday cash gift last April.
“I am very thankful for this support given by Mayor Lani to persons with disability like me,” said Adrinela, who is unable to move both her legs and uses crutches to help her move in her daily activities.
Adrineda, who raised her daughter on her own, sells bananas beside her home as source of income to sustain their expenses.
Cayetano, for her part, said: “We want the City of Taguig to be a place where everyone can dream big and think big so rest assured that we will continue creating programs that will help you in achieving your dreams and aspirations.”
To claim the birthday cash gift, beneficiaries should present their PWD identification card issued by PDAO.
Representatives tasked to claim the financial assistance should present an authorization letter, photocopies of the PWD card of the beneficiary and of the representative’s valid ID.
Taguig City, under the administration of Cayetano, continues to advocate the welfare and empowerment of the PWD community by providing various programs including financial allowances to PWD personnel in each barangay and creating jobs for them to ensure that they can sustain their daily needs.
In 2015, the city hired 14 deaf-mute data encoders who were tasked to input data gathered by the field survey personnel for the Taguig City Integrated Survey System.
The TCISS provides evidence-based information that the city government uses as a platform for planning and implementing programs and projects that are based on the actual situation of its constituents. To date, the city has 22 deaf and mute survey encoders.
Persons with disability are provided priority lanes in all of the city’s offices and services. PWDs are also provided scholarship grants under the Priority Courses and Skills Training of the city’s Lifeline Assistance for Neighbors In-Need scholarship program.
The city government of Taguig is also currently constructing the Disability Resource and Development Center, a five-storey building located in Ipil-ipil Street, Purok 7, Barangay North Signal, which will provide different services for PWDs in Taguig including livelihood trainings, transition programs, tutorial services, and even a showroom that will showcase handicraft products made by Taguigeño PWDs.
PDAO is also gearing up for their Community-Based Inclusive Development Program that will cater to seven barangays in Taguig. The program will house occupational, physical and speech therapists that can assist our fellow Taguigeños in need.
Supaz noted these projects are huge steps for Mayor Lani who hopes that these projects will not just prepare the city’s PWDs for employment, but also boost their skills and confidence.