By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – The Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) distributed PHP 10,000 each to 525 persons with disabilities (PWDs) at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) on Monday as part of the city’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
Alma Gustilo, DSSD officer-in-charge, announced in a press briefing Monday that the city has allotted PHP 10 million for 1,000 PWD beneficiaries.
Gustilo said that the distribution of assistance for the remaining 475 PWD beneficiaries is underway.
Of Bacolod’s 61 barangays, Barangay Mandalagan has the most beneficiaries registered for the program, according to Gustilo.
Gustilo explained that PWD federations in the barangays were encouraged to participate in selecting the beneficiaries.
Under the SLP, only 1,000 beneficiaries can be accommodated annually, and this year the program focused on PWDs, Gustilo said, expressing gratitude to the city government for the budget allocation.
Gustilo said the assistance would enable beneficiaries to start or support livelihood projects to help their families.
She noted that a team from the DSSD monitors how the aid impacts the beneficiaries’ lives and supports their livelihood progress.
If a beneficiary’s livelihood project succeeds, Gustilo said they may be recommended for additional aid in the following year.
Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez advised the DSSD to ensure the assistance genuinely helps the beneficiaries.
“Let’s be mindful of the SLP’s outcomes, as the assistance may or may not effectively support their livelihoods,” he said.
Benitez emphasized the need for proper guidance to ensure the program’s sustainability.
Meanwhile, Gustilo said the assistance includes support for 50 beneficiaries from the Autism Sector and Bacolod Special Education (SPED) students.
The DSSD currently records 13,000 PWDs in Bacolod with legitimate ID cards equipped with a QR code system.
