THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI is seeking organizations to partner with to provide therapy sessions for Children with Disabilities under Project Aruga.
During the Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday, Baby Jean Sarmiento, project development officer of DSWD-Davao’s Social Technology Unit, said the program reported successful implementation in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
However, the agency is eyeing a partnership with external therapy centers to expand local intervention options for children requiring speech and behavioral therapy.
Sarmiento reported that it has supported 150 beneficiary children with disabilities (CWDs) in Sta. Cruz under Project Aruga since its implementation in 2025.
“We are looking for organizations, particularly in Digos and Toril in Davao City, that we can partner with to broaden implementation of services,” Sarmiento said, noting that therapy for CWDs can be expensive.
Sarmiento reported that efforts are underway to formalize memoranda of agreement with two centers in Sta. Cruz and one in Digos City.
At present, the agency maintains active partnerships with therapy providers in Davao City, including Tebow Cure and the Jubilee Foundation.
The agency reported that 150 children with disabilities (CWDs) have been receiving only P2,000 per month, distributed in quarterly tranches under the Project Aruga.
Sarmiento emphasized that the monthly stipend only serves as assistance for the family, meant to cover the medical and therapy needs of CWDs.
The agency has yet to conduct a survey on the sufficiency of the assistance for the monthly needs of the beneficiaries.
Apart from the financial assistance, a training that equipped 20 caregivers identified by the local government unit was conducted to help the families of CWDs in taking care of their children.
The agency is also establishing a peer support group among the families of the children beneficiaries.
Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, was selected as the Mindanao pilot site due to the high incidence of CWDs in the municipality, according to data from the Philippine Registry for Persons with Disabilities (PRPWD), managed by the Department of Health.
Formerly known as Project Cherish, Project Aruga is a community-based initiative designed to support children with disabilities from poor and vulnerable families through financial assistance, strengthened case management, and improved access to healthcare, education, livelihood opportunities, social insurance, and other essential services.
The project held its pilot implementation in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, in Region 6; Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, in Region 1; and Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur for the Davao region.
DSWD said it plans to expand Project Aruga following the successful pilot in Sta. Cruz. At present, the agency is conducting marketing with other local government units to replicate the same program.
