Senator Bam Aquino introduced Senate Bill No. 2386, known as the proposed National Disability Support Act, which aims to provide eligible persons with disabilities (PWDs) with a P2,000 monthly cash allowance to help cover condition-related expenses.
Under the bill, the National Disability Support Allowance Program would administer the monthly subsidy, with regular inflation adjustments to preserve its value over time.
Aquino highlighted the necessity of the financial aid in mitigating daily financial hurdles.
“Persons with disabilities face additional and often invisible expenses in their daily lives, including transportation, healthcare, personal assistance, and assistive devices. These are essential not only for survival, but for participation in school, work, and community life. When these expenses are not addressed, opportunities are limited, poverty is deepened, and exclusion persists,” Aquino said.
“This allowance is designed to complement existing social protection programs and empower persons with disabilities to live more independently, pursue education and employment, and participate more actively in society,” he added.
The proposed initiative outlines a phased rollout. Children with disabilities and adults with severe conditions will be prioritized for the first three years, followed by PWDs with moderate disabilities in the subsequent three years, before eventually expanding to all qualified individuals incurring disability-related costs.
“By strengthening income support, this measure helps ensure that persons with disabilities are not only supported, but empowered to live independently and participate fully in society,” Aquino stated.
SB 2386 calls for the creation of a Disability and Needs Assessment System (DNAS) to determine eligibility based on functional needs rather than income alone.
It also establishes a Disability Management Information System (DMIS) integrated with government registries—including the National ID System, PhilHealth, and the Philippine Persons with Disabilities Registry—to streamline data collection and direct disbursements.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) would lead the program’s execution alongside a Multi-Stakeholder Committee headed by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA).
“In empowering persons with disabilities, we are not only addressing inequality, but also unlocking potential, strengthening communities, and building a more inclusive and equitable Philippines,” Aquino concluded.