The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) provided PHP 46,992,450.00 aid to 13,621 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in 59 local government units (LGUs) of Bicol Region under the Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay – Cash-for-Work (KKB-CFW) program in 2023.

Director Laurio shared that 47 cities and municipalities in the region have ongoing implementation this year with a fund of PHP 34,804,650.00 benefiting 10,088 PWDs.

“The fund for the CFW program has already been transferred to the 47 LGUs that are currently implementing the program, while the remaining 11 LGUs are targeted for disbursement this year with allotted fund of PHP 12,410,900.00 that will benefit 3,142 PWDs,” Regional Director Norman S. Laurio said.

The beneficiaries were selected based on the assessment results of the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction or LISTAHANAN. LGUs conducted validations to establish the list of qualified beneficiaries which was endorsed to the regional office. Once identified, beneficiaries worked for ten (10) days receiving the aid based on the regional daily wage rate.

“The community tasks assigned to them were determined through assessments by the LGU, consultations with the project beneficiaries, the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO), and other relevant stakeholders,” he explained.

The CFW program aims to provide temporary employment opportunities to persons with disabilities as well as low-income or no-income households who have family members with disabilities.