TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Office of the Persons with Disability Affairs (OPDA) of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) is clarifying that the P500.00 monthly social pension is only accorded to individuals suffering from severe disability.
Grace Oyando of the OPDA explained that a person with disability (PWD) is qualified for the program if the disability is affecting daily performance and mental stability such as those suffering from mental retardation, those confined to a wheelchair, or those suffering from cerebral palsy, and the bedridden.
She said that to avail of the social pension released quarterly, the PWD must be registered under the OPDA. Home visits she said is done to assess and validate the eligibility of the person for the program.
Family members of PWD could also be accommodated at the OPDA upon submission of requirements like medical certificate, barangay indigency certificate and photo of the PWD.
Meanwhile, PWDs not included in the social pension program may still avail of the services reserved by the government for them such as 20% discount on medicines, transportation and basic commodities, to name a few.
At present, there are 150 PWDs covered by the social pension program to augment their financial needs. By Darwin S. Serion