The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) will be implementing Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KKB) Cash-for-Work Program (CFWP) for Persons with Disabilities in the municipalities of Bato and Virac in Catanduanes.

A total of 1,000 persons with disabilities will benefit from the program, with 500 beneficiaries for each municipality.

The program offers temporary employment opportunities to persons with disabilities, enabling them to earn income while contributing to community projects or activities.

Regional Director Norman S. Laurio explained that the tasks to be assigned for the beneficiaries will be determined through consultations with the municipality, Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO), and other stakeholders.

“With this intervention, we uphold our commitment to inclusive development wherein we ensure that the persons with disabilities are not left behind but are considered as partners in building local development,” he added.

The two municipalities were selected for the program because of significant impact of disaster in their areas and high number of persons with disabilities in the province.

For the identification of the beneficiaries, it will be carried out by the respective Local Government Units (LGUs) to be endorsed to the regional office. Once identified, the beneficiaries will be engaged in a ten-day work period in which each will receive total assistance of PHP 3,950.00.

Maribel T. Tariman, a solo parent and person with disability beneficiary of Barangay Balatay, Bato, Catanduanes, shared that the program will greatly help in the daily expenses for her three (3) children.

“Ako po, nagpapasalamat po ako sa DSWD. Nakakadagdag po ‘yun sa pangtustos sa mga pangangailangan ng mga anak ko. Sa pagbili po ng mga kailangan nila lalo na po pagpasukan na naman,” she said.

(I am grateful to the DSWD. It really helps in providing for my children’s needs, especially in buying what they need, particularly when the school year starts again.)

For Cherwin T. Lojo, a person with disability beneficiary of Barangay Guinobatan, Bato, Catanduanes, considered the program as an opportunity to further help his fellow persons with disabilities.

“Sila po yung kinukuhanan ko po ng inspirasyon. Humuhugot po ako ng lakas sa kanila para po at least magkaroon din po ako ng pagkakataon na tumulong sa kanila,” he explained.

(They are the ones I draw inspiration from. I draw strength from them so that I too, may have the opportunity to help them.)

Implementation of the program in Bato and Virac is expected to commence this month of May, following the conduct of Municipal Orientations from April 28 until April 29.