MAYOR Sebastian Z. Duterte has signed Executive Order No. 23, Series of 2026, laying out the implementing rules and regulations for the city’s annual cash assistance program for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The EO, signed July 29, aims to effectively implement City Ordinance No. 049-25, approved in November 2025, which grants P1,500 yearly to all qualified PWDs in Davao City.
“The City Government of Davao endeavors to protect and promote the welfare of Persons with Disabilities through policies, programs, and activities that shall empower their participation in social and economic activities, thereby upholding their dignity and ensuring equal opportunities for them,” the EO reads.
“It is necessary to provide PWDs residing in the city with assistance in the form of a subsidy, to help them face the socio-economic challenges that hinder their full participation in society,” it added.
The rules define several grounds for disqualification from the benefit, including submission of fraudulent documents or misrepresentation of disability status; use of an expired PWD ID; or a determination by the program’s Grievance Committee that a claimant does not qualify.
Also, the EO outlined a graduated fine schedule for anyone caught violating the rules.
Under Section 12 of the order, individuals who fraudulently avail of the benefit face a fine of P2,000 for first offense, P3,000 for second offense, and P5,000 for third offense.
The penalty will be applicable to relatives or other individuals who falsify an authorization letter to collect a beneficiary’s subsidy on their behalf during payout.
Barangay officials who wrongfully issue certificates of residency used to support a claim can also face administrative and criminal charges for falsification of a document.
Covered under the penalty provisions are individuals who falsified a PWD identification card and are liable separately under the Revised Penal Code.
The order assigns oversight roles to the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), which is tasked with maintaining a master list of qualified beneficiaries and receiving complaints on qualification or disqualification.
Under the EO, a Grievance Committee composed of representatives from the PWD Federation, the City Social Welfare and Development Office, PDAO, the Davao City DILG, the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s Committee on Social Services, and the City Legal Officer is also part of the oversight.
Financial assistance under the program is set to be released in May, June, and July of each year, subject to fund availability, with the master list of qualified beneficiaries due to PDAO every March 30.
Under the new IRR, qualified recipients must hold a valid PWD Identification Card issued by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) and be registered voters of Davao City.
Exceptions are recognized for PWDs who are not registered voters but can present a barangay-issued certificate of residency for at least three years.
In case of bedridden PWDs, the financial assistance may be claimed by an authorized representative bringing an authorization letter or notarized affidavit; PWD ID and ID of the representative.
For Persons with Intellectual, Learning, or Mental disabilities, it shall be claimed by representatives in the order of priority, to wit: spouse, children, parents, grandparents, guardian, or any person authorized by the court.
Meanwhile, in case of children with disabilities, it shall be claimed by any of the representatives in the order of priority, to wit: parents; grandparents; guardian; or any person authorized by the court.
The PWDs receive their financial assistance from the city, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office, starting July 17 as part of the launching and ceremonial payout of the annual PWD subsidy.
