A proposed law that pushes a P2,000 monthly allowance for persons with disabilities (PWDs) has been filed in the House of Representatives.
The House Bill (HB) No. 5803, or the proposed Disability Support Allowance for Persons with Disabilities Act was proposed by Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas.
The measure seeks to provide P2,000 monthly support to all persons with disability (PWD) for easier access to education, health care, and economic opportunities regardless of social or employment status.
The bill states that Filipinos with disabilities “face significant barriers in accessing education and health care, community and citizenship participation, and seizing economic opportunities.”
Under the bill, PWDs include “those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.”
“Because of multiple socio-economic barriers, persons with disabilities have less income and more expenses than those without disabilities,” said Vargas.
According to Vargas, while the government already provides PWD programs, including discounts and tax exemptions, these were beneficial only to PWDs with already a certain level of income and purchasing power and mostly in urban areas.
