ILOILO City – Thousands of vulnerable residents are set to receive expanded financial assistance as the Iloilo City government rolls out a broader social aid program covering persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens, while introducing additional support systems for low-income families and out-of-school youth.
The city is distributing P1,000 each to 2,000 PWDs and 1,000 senior citizens – a scaled-up intervention aimed at easing economic pressures on marginalized sectors and strengthening inclusive social protection.
Last week alone, at least 900 indigent PWDs from Jaro, La Paz, Lapuz, and Arevalo districts received financial aid, with another round of payouts scheduled on May 5 for beneficiaries in Molo, Mandurriao, and City Proper.
Joy Gorzal, spokesperson for Mayor Raisa Treñas, said the initiative goes beyond cash assistance by linking beneficiaries to long-term support services.
“The center is a safe haven for those in need, and they can return for assistance every three months,” Gorzal said, referring to the Atipan (Care) Center that provides therapy and emotional support for PWDs.
The city has also increased the number of senior citizens receiving locally funded social pensions from 8,000 to 9,000, expanding coverage amid rising living costs. Qualified beneficiaries are advised to coordinate with the City Social Welfare and Development Office or their barangays for application guidelines.
In parallel, the city government is extending assistance to families transitioning out of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), particularly those with children who have aged out of eligibility.
“We want to ensure that the aspirations of these families do not fade when their children move on,” Treñas emphasized.
To support this transition, the city is offering scholarships under the Uswag Scholarship Program for higher education, as well as referrals to the Technical Institute of Iloilo City for vocational training.
Additional livelihood assistance is also being rolled out, particularly targeting mothers under the 4Ps through Sustainable Livelihood Programs aimed at boosting household income and promoting self-reliance.
City officials said the multi-pronged approach reflects a shift toward sustained social development—combining immediate relief with long-term opportunities to uplift disadvantaged communities./PN
