A group of lawmakers on Friday pushed for the swift approval of a measure that aims to grant parents of children with disabilities (CWDs) a P2,000 monthly subsidy from the government.
House Bill 6743 filed by Reps. Paolo Duterte of Davao City, Eric Yap of Benguet and Edvic Yap and Jeffrey Soriano–both nominees of ACT-CIS outlines the requirements for parents of disabled children to qualify for the subsidy and mandates the creation of a database of all CWDs to be able to effectively implement this proposed law.
Citing a study by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) done in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the bill’s authors pointed out that expenses for raising a CWD is 40 to 80 percent higher than that for other kids without disabilities.
The UNICEF study also found out that poverty rates are 50 percent higher in households with CWDs.
“This proposed measure seeks to provide the [government] support and assistance needed by children with disabilities through a provision of a monthly subsidy to their parents in order to help alleviate the challenges they continously face amid the rising costs of living,” the bill’s authors said.
Under HB 6743, a CWD refers to a person below 21 years old with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of an individual’s functions or activities. They also refer to a child with a record of such an impairment or being regarded as having such an impairment, according to the bill.
Biological parents and court-appointed guardians of CWD as verified and certified by the DSWD and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) are covered by the measure.
Issuance of an authentic person with disabilities (PWD) identification card is a prerequisite to qualify as a beneficiary of the subsidy.
The P2,000 monthly aid, which will be released by the DSWD, shall automatically cease when the child reaches 21 years of age.
Under the bill, a CWD database shall be created and updated annually by the DSWD, NCDA, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and the National Privacy Commission (NPC) in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to effectively plan, implement, monitor and evaluate the grant of the subsidy.
The bill sets an initial allocation of P2 billion for the first year of implementing the program.
HB 6743 also includes provisions to penalize persons found committing any fraudulent act or misrepresenting himself or herself as a parent of a CWD to be able to deceive the government in receiving the cash aid.
For first-time violators, the bill provides for a fine of not less
than P25,000 but not exceeding P50,000. Subsequent violations are punishable with a fine of not less than P50,000 but not exceeding P100,000.
Any other person, corporation or organization, whether natural or juridical, found violating the provisions of the measure will be fined not less than P100,000 but not exceeding P200,000.