THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Social Technology Bureau (STB) launched Project CHERISH in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, on July 29, to support 100 children with disabilities, together with their families, barely surviving on basic needs.
The community-based project aims to assist selected parent-beneficiaries with allowances to provide their children with health care and education, as well as to address their needs via social services.
As part of the project components, parents will receive a monthly subsidy of P2,000 to cover disability-related costs. Training is also to be provided to LGU implementers and caregivers on inclusive care management and preventing discrimination.
In an interview with Marilyn Moral, assistant bureau director of STB, the project was initiated this year, and the implementation will end in December.
“We need to fast-track things, not to compromise the quality of the services but to ensure that the target partners are doing their job as well,” she said.
In the Philippines, three pilot areas are selected, which are located in Antique, Palawan, and Sta. Cruz. Moral explained that these areas are chosen because of the high presence of children with disabilities or the veracity of cases.
According to a study presented by DSWD XI, health-related expenses are the primary driver of extra costs, wherein raising a child with special needs costs 40% to 80% more. The poverty rate among affected households is 50% higher.
Moreover, existing financial support mechanisms remain inadequate, with unmet needs that include education, healthcare access, and assistive devices.
