At least 40 persons with disabilities in Manila have received P10,000 each from the City Government to help them start a sustainable source of income as part of the city’s celebration of PWDs Week.
Mayor Joseph Estrada led the distribution of cash to PWDs from Manila’s six districts and Baseco Compound as part of his administration’s livelihood program for the marginalized sectors of the city.
The Manila chief executive emphasized that livelihood assistance to the vulnerable sector, especially those coming from the city’s poorest districts, is a priority of his administration.
Livelihood projects approved by the city government are sari-sari store, shoes and bags repair shop, home baking, leche flan and peanut butter making, rice dealer, panciteria and cafe, accessories vending, e-load station, barbershop, T-shirt printing and toys or candy vending.
Estrada said the livelihood project was in support of the Department of Labor and Employment PWDs assistance program recently held at the Bulwagang Villegas, Manila City Hall.
The mayor was assisted by DoLE-Manila Field Office Director Ma. Corazon M. Pepito and Nanet Tanyag, OIC of the Manila Department of Social Welfare.
During the ceremony, Estrada said the city government strictly observes Republic Act 10524, Rule No. 4, section 7, in hiring of at least one percent of the regular and non-regular workers reserved for PWDs.
The mayor also said that in line with the implementation of RA 9442 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, social services are provided to give full support for the improvement of their total well-being and their integration into the mainstream of the society.
PWDs are likewise provided with disability IDs to avail of benefits and privileges provided by law, such as the 20 percent discount on medicines, restaurants, cinemas and other amenities and 5 percent discounts for grocery items and agricultural products.