SOCIAL PENSION. Social welfare minister Raissa Jajurie of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (left) hands over the PHP4,500 stipend of a person with disability for the months of January to September this year following the launch of the 'Kalinga para sa may Kapansanan” program in Datu Piang, Maguindanao on Saturday (Sept. 26, 2020). Some 30,000 PWDs in the region are set to receive the same benefit from the region’s Ministry of Social Services and Development. (Photo courtesy of MSSD-BARMM)
COTABATO CITY – At least 30,000 persons with disabilities (PWDs) will receive a PHP500-monthly stipend from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao following the launch of the program on Saturday in Maguindanao.
BARMM Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) chief Raissa Jajurie said the program is on top of other support facilities, livelihood, and skills training the BARMM will provide the PWDs under the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
"It is intended to augment the capacity of indigent PWDs to meet their daily subsistence and medical requirements, among others," Jajurie said.
On Saturday, the MSSD launched the 'Kalinga para sa may Kapansanan” program in Datu Piang, Maguindanao with 494 pilot beneficiaries.
Each of the PWDs received PHP4,500 for their nine-month social pension that started January this year. Provision of assistive devices, skills training, capital for livelihood projects, and organizing and strengthening local PWD federations also formed part of the program.
"PWDs are capable of claiming their rights and making decisions by being active members of the society," Jajurie said.
BARMM covers the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Lanao del Sur; the cities of Marawi and Lamitan; and the 63 villages in six towns of North Cotabato. (PNA)
