P2,000 Monthly Allowance for All PWDs Pushed

A new legislative effort in the Senate aims to ease the daily financial burden on Filipinos living with disabilities.

Senator Bam Aquino has filed Senate Bill No. 2386, or the proposed National Disability Support Act, which seeks to provide a ₱2,000 monthly allowance to qualified persons with disabilities (PWDs) to help cover everyday living expenses and foster greater independence.

Under the proposed bill, the monthly stipends will be distributed through a newly established National Disability Support Allowance Program. To ensure the allowance retains its purchasing power over time, the amount will be periodically adjusted based on inflation rates.

Rather than relying solely on income levels to determine eligibility, SB 2386 mandates the creation of a Disability and Needs Assessment System. This evaluation framework will assess applicants based on their specific functional limitations and individual support needs required for active participation in society.

To support seamless operations and benefit distribution, the bill also establishes a centralized Disability Management Information System integrated with existing government databases. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is slated to lead the program's implementation, working in coordination with the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA).

"In empowering persons with disabilities, we are not only addressing inequality, but also unlocking potential, strengthening communities, and building a more inclusive and equitable Philippines," Aquino stated in his filing.

This Senate measure aligns with a similar push in the lower chamber. Quezon City 5th District Representative Patrick Vargas previously introduced House Bill No. 3770 (the Disability Support Allowance for Persons with Disabilities Act), which similarly proposes a ₱2,000 inflation-indexed monthly allowance for PWDs regardless of employment status.

Both measures now await further committee review in their respective chambers.

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