Aside from the 20 percent discount and VAT exemption already granted to persons with disability (PWDs), PWDs in Davao City will soon receive annual cash assistance from the local government.

This after the Davao City Council approved on third and final reading an ordinance granting PWDs a yearly subsidy of P1,500 similar to the benefits already extended to senior citizens and solo parents.

As of now, nearly 38,000 PWDs are registered in the city.

“It is somehow makahatag sa ilaha og lugway nga naa silay paabuton. Mao raman gyud na ilaha, excited sila and ilaha pud is that dugay na nilang ginapaabot. Gusto sa atong mayor, inclusive, walay ma left behind,” Davao City Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) Head, Atty. Redendo Martinez, said.

To qualify, a PWD must be a legitimate resident of Davao City for at least three years, possess a PWD ID issued by PDAO, and be a registered voter in the city.

“Dapat naa siyay PWD ID gikan diri sa office nato diri sa PDAO. Of course, kinahanglan pud siya og voters, registered sya sa COMELEC. And residency, 3 years kay og 6 months dali ra kaayo makatransfer ang nearby nga, basi ang uban kay hakuton pud sa mga paryente,” Redendo added.

PDAO is optimistic that the ordinance will soon be allocated a budget by the city government to ensure qualified PWDs can start receiving their subsidies.