Antique Local Government Unit (LGU) has hired 20 support caregivers to assist children with disabilities who are beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) “Aruga” project. The initiative is being managed by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in San Jose de Buenavista, where Amie Dava, head of the office, announced the new arrangement. The hiring of these caregivers marks a step toward improving the quality of life for disabled children within the community. These individuals will provide essential care and support to ensure that the children receive adequate attention and assistance tailored to their specific needs. This move reflects the commitment of the Antique LGU to enhance the welfare of vulnerable populations through direct intervention and personalized support. In parallel, the DSWD has proposed a budget of P241.6 billion for 2027, which is slightly lower than the P264.45 billion allocated in 2026. This reduction affects several key programs, including the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), which is set to receive only P33.29 billion, nearly half of its previous allocation of P63.9 billion. The AICS program is designed to assist approximately 4.6 million beneficiaries, yet the proposed funds fall significantly short of the needs identified by civil society organizations. Other programs also face cuts, such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, which will see its budget reduced to P99.08 billion from P113 billion, and the Supplementary Feeding Program, which will drop to P6.36 billion from P9.56 billion. The Sustainable Livelihood Program, aimed at helping communities regain economic stability, will also experience a decrease in funding, though the exact figures remain consistent with the broader trend of reduced allocations. Despite these reductions, the DSWD continues to allocate resources to critical initiatives. For instance, the Walang Gutom Program, which provides monthly food credits of P3,000 to households in need, will receive P1.89 billion in 2027. The program has already reached 600,000 families and aims to expand this number to 750,000 by 2028. Additionally, P900 million is designated for the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program, which supports literacy efforts in public elementary schools. Recent actions by the DSWD have also included direct interventions to address immediate crises. Following a fire that devastated the City of Batac Public Market in Ilocos Norte, 129 stall owners received livelihood assistance to help them recover. President Ferdinand Marcos, alongside DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, personally oversaw the distribution of aid at the site. Of the affected stall owners, 128 received P20,000 each under the Sustainable Livelihood Program, enabling them to restart their businesses and regain financial stability. These efforts highlight the dual role of the DSWD in both long-term developmental projects and emergency response mechanisms. While the 2027 budget proposal presents challenges, the agency continues to prioritize immediate relief and sustainable development strategies. As the House of Representatives prepares for its budget hearings, the debate over the adequacy of funding for critical social programs is likely to intensify, particularly concerning the AICS program, which remains a contentious issue among lawmakers and civil society groups.
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