ILOILO — A total of 170 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Batad town in northern Iloilo are set to receive temporary employment and financial assistance under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Cash-for-Work (CFW) program, reinforcing government efforts to expand inclusive livelihood opportunities at the grassroots level.
The program, implemented through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), covers 132 regular PWDs and 38 caregivers of persons with total disabilities (PTDs), following a completed orientation for the beneficiaries.
Participants will undergo a 10-day work engagement involving light community tasks, providing them with immediate income support while promoting active participation in local development initiatives.
Felix Guilaran Jr., Social Welfare Officer III and focal person of the Cash-for-Work Program, emphasized the broader impact of the initiative.
“This program ensures that our PWD beneficiaries are not just recipients of financial support; they are also vital contributors to the development of their communities,” he stated.
Guilaran also urged beneficiaries to carry out their assigned tasks responsibly and complete required documentation to ensure smooth implementation.
Batad Mayor Elvira Alarcon welcomed the initiative, citing its dual benefit to individuals and the community.
“We thank the DSWD and KALAHI-CIDSS for granting Batad this valuable opportunity. This program not only empowers our PWDs and their families but also strengthens our community as a whole,” she said.
The CFW program provides daily wages in exchange for short-term community service activities such as cleaning, gardening, and other public works, typically conducted over a 10-day period.
For 2026, the DSWD has earmarked P2.5 million for the program across three municipalities, targeting 470 beneficiaries, including those in Batad.
This marks the second rollout of the initiative in the town since its initial implementation in 2022, highlighting sustained government commitment to inclusive social protection and economic empowerment for PWDs.
Officials said the continued partnership between the DSWD and the Batad local government aims to build a more inclusive and resilient community, ensuring that persons with disabilities are given meaningful opportunities to contribute and thrive./PN
