A total of 955 persons with disabilities in the municipalities of Bato and Virac, Catanduanes received their assistance amounting to PHP 3,749,390.94 under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) from July 15 to July 17, 2025.

In Virac, 458 beneficiaries were paid a total of PHP 1,786,240.94, while 497 persons with disabilities in Bato obtained a total of PHP 1,963,150.00.

Aimed at providing temporary employment opportunities to vulnerable sectors, the Cash-for-Work Program (CFWP) of the KALAHI-CIDSS Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KKB) has engaged persons with disabilities or their representatives to undertake ten (10) days of community work, during which each beneficiary received PHP 3,950.00.

According to Regional Director Norman S. Laurio, the assistance not only provides an opportunity to work but also acknowledges the capability of persons with disabilities to contribute to their communities.

“The program is about recognizing the strength of persons with disabilities in community development and making sure that our efforts include every individual, especially vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors,” he said.

The beneficiaries were identified by their respective Local Government Units (LGUs) and endorsed to the Field Office.

One of the beneficiaries, Marites F. Abante, a solo parent and person with disability, shared the learnings she has gained being part of the program.

“Sa akin na-experience po sa cash-for-work, naranasan ko yung, una yung leadership, yung bonding ng mga kasamahan, kung paano pahalagahan ang bawat pagpapawis sa bawat trabaho at kung paano makisama ng mabuti. Huwag sayangin ang bawat minuto sa pagtatrabaho kahit na ako ay disabled,” she stated.

(Through the cash-for-work program, I experienced leadership, bonding with my fellow workers, learning how to value every drop of sweat in every task, and how to work well with others. We should not waste a single minute of work, even if I am a person with a disability.)

Abante also expressed deep gratitude for the assistance she has received, as it will be a huge help for her three (3) children.

KALAHI-CIDSS is a poverty alleviation program of DSWD that empowers communities to plan, implement, and sustain interventions that directly address the needs through the use of Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach.