The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved a resolution urging the city government to begin implementing its social pension program for persons with disabilities (PWDs), starting with at least 1,000 qualified beneficiaries already identified by barangay screening committees.
In a press release on Sept. 29, it said the resolution, authored by Councilors Caesar Distrito and Celia Flor, calls on the City Social Services and Development Department (DSSD) and the City Budget Office, through Mayor Greg Gasataya, to provide the funding needed to implement the program.
Distrito said the city could begin releasing assistance to the first 1,000 qualified PWDs while working toward the inclusion of more beneficiaries as additional funds become available
The program was established under City Ordinance No. 1010, Series of 2022, authored by Flor, which created a social pension fund for qualified senior citizens and PWDs to help cover basic needs, medical expenses and other necessities.
It was expanded through City Ordinance No. 1137, Series of 2026, or the PWD Social Pension Reform Ordinance, authored by Distrito, which broadened the qualifications and eased eligibility requirements for PWD beneficiaries.
Among those covered by the amended ordinance are bedridden PWDs, persons with severe or terminal illnesses, unemployed PWDs with two or more dependents, children with disabilities and persons with serious physical, visual, hearing or psychosocial disabilities.
Qualified beneficiaries must have lived in Bacolod City for at least one year and meet the ordinance’s income requirements.
Distrito said barangay screening committees, in coordination with the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), have already identified prospective beneficiaries.
“Our PWDs should already feel the actual benefit of the ordinance that was enacted precisely for them,” he said.
The resolution urges the DSSD to validate and register beneficiaries in coordination with PDAO and the barangays.
It also asks the City Budget Office to identify funding under the current or supplemental budget, or include the necessary appropriation in the next annual budget, subject to government budgeting and auditing rules.*
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