By CESAR JOLITO III
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has unanimously approved on third and final reading a landmark ordinance reforming the city’s Social Pension Program for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), significantly expanding eligibility and tightening safeguards to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable sectors.
Authored by Caesar Distrito, chair of the SP Committee on PWD Affairs, the measure amends key provisions of City Ordinance No. 1010 in 2022, originally authored by Celia Flor.
The measure broadens the legal definition of disability and spells out clearer, more inclusive qualifications for social pension beneficiaries.
Under the amended ordinance, disabilities explicitly covered now include orthopedic, visual, hearing, chronic illness, deaf-mute, and psychosocial conditions such as autism, Down syndrome and epilepsy.
The reform also sets detailed eligibility criteria, prioritizing PWDs who are bedridden, battling severe or terminal illnesses, unemployed with multiple dependents, living alone or with another PWD or senior citizen, or suffering from severe physical impairments such as amputations or total blindness.
Children with developmental disabilities and individuals with chronic psychosocial conditions are likewise covered.
To ensure equitable distribution of limited public funds, the ordinance introduces a firm income threshold: a PWD’s annual gross income must not exceed P180,000.
For dependents or those without independent income, the combined annual income of parents, guardians, or primary caregivers must fall within the same limit.
Distrito said the reform underscores the city government’s commitment to inclusive governance and social protection.
“This reform strengthens our commitment to genuine inclusivity. By refining the definition and expanding the qualifications, we ensure that more vulnerable persons with disabilities — especially those facing severe medical, economic and social challenges — can access the assistance provided by the city government,” he said./CJ, WDJ