The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) is asking local government units in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City for updated data on the number of Persons with Disabilities, especially indigents, in their areas that is needed for the passage of a proposed law that would provide monthly allowances.
The priority for coverage by the proposed law are indigent bedridden PWDs and children, said Joniro Fradejas, NCDA executive director, who joined the 2nd Region 6 PWD Summit at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City on Thursday, May 25.
He said current data shows that there are 1.4 million PWDs nationwide, and about 10,000 in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.
He said Senator Imee Marcos is proposing a law that will provide a P2,000 monthly allowance to indigent PWDs.
They cannot come up with the budget to be stated in the proposed “Disability Support Fund Act,” until they have the updated numbers, he said.
The NCDA is also continuing to push for compliance with the law granting discounts to PWDs and accessibility through ramps, Fradejas said.*