A lawmaker on Friday renewed his call for stronger social protection systems by advancing his landmark proposal, House Bill 3770 or the Disability Support Allowance for Persons with Disabilities Act.
Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas said the measure seeks to institutionalize a universal monthly disability support allowance of P2,000 for all persons with disabilities—regardless of their employment status or income level—as a concrete step toward addressing long-standing socioeconomic barriers.
“Society is not equal, especially for persons with disabilities. So it is our duty to fix the things that put them at a disadvantage. We will try to correct the system that has been unfair for a long time,” he said.
Vargas made the statement in celebration of the International Day of People with Disability. Maricel Cruz
HB 3370 also includes strict safeguard mechanisms, imposing penalties and sanctions on those who falsify or misuse PWD IDs to access benefits to ensure that allowance is reserved for legitimate PWDs.
Vargas said while government interventions for PWDs have gradually expanded—from medicine discounts to priority privileges—Filipino PWDs continue to face systemic barriers that require sustained, institutionalized support.
“We have made significant leaps for our Filipino PWDs. Pero hindi dapat dito nagtatapos. We move forward, step by step, until the playing field becomes truly equal for all,” said Vargas.
Originally filed in the previous Congress, and now pending before the House Committee on Person with Disabilities, the measure is among Vargas’ long standing -advocacies. He expressed hope that the P 2,000 support allowance will be enacted within the 20th Congress.
“Our PWD community deserves not just privileges, but true equity and long -term protection,” he said.
