The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has unanimously approved on third and final reading the PWD Social Pension Reform Ordinance of Bacolod City.
The ordinance, authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, Chairperson of the SP Committee on PWD Affairs, will strengthen and expand the City’s Social Pension Program for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
The measure, entitled the “PWD Social Pension Reform Ordinance of Bacolod City,” amends Sections 3 and 4 of City Ordinance No. 1010, Series of 2022 authored by Councilor Celia Flor, to broaden the definition of persons with disabilities and clearly specify expanded qualifications for social pension eligibility.
The ordinance updated definition now expressly includes disabilities such as orthopedic, visual, hearing, chronic illness, deaf-mute, and psychosocial disabilities including autism, down syndrome and epilepsy, Distrito said.
Under the amended provisions, a qualified PWD must:
• Be a registered vote, or if he is still not of voting age or physically unable to register, he/she must at least be a resident of Bacolod City for at least one (1) year;
• Fall under specific circumstances, including:
• Being bedridden;
• Having severe health conditions such as cancer or other terminal illnesses;
• Being unemployed with two or more dependents;
• Living alone or living with another PWD or senior citizen;
• Children with developmental disabilities such as Autism, Down Syndrome, and similar conditions;
• Persons with epilepsy or other chronic psychosocial disabilities;
• Individuals with visual impairment (blind in both eyes);
• Persons with severe physical impairments such as amputation of both legs, both hands, or similar orthopedic conditions; and
• Meet the income threshold requirement, which provides that the annual gross income of the PWD must not exceed P180,000.
If the PWD is a dependent or has no independent income, the combined annual gross income of the parents, guardian, or primary caregiver must not exceed the same amount.
The ordinance also prioritizes social pension support for the most economically vulnerable PWDs by instituting a clear income cap to ensure that limited city resources are directed at those most in need.
“This reform strengthens our commitment to genuine inclusivity. By refining the definition and expanding the qualifications, we ensure that more vulnerable persons with disabilities, especially those facing severe medical, economic, and social challenges, can access the assistance provided by the city government”, Distrito said.*
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