PWD students to receive financial aid under ordinance

By Benilda Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon --- The provincial government of Sorsogon has enacted an ordinance providing financial assistance to students with disabilities to support their special education (SPED).

Provincial Ordinance 12-2023 requires the provincial government to offer a monthly cash incentive ranging from P1,000 to P10,000 for indigent SPED students enrolled in public schools throughout the province.

Additionally, the ordinance mandates the provincial government to fund a comprehensive and high-quality special education system designed to address the needs of financially disadvantaged students with disabilities, including those who are blind, deaf, or have intellectual disabilities.

According to Salvador Ignacio Carranza, the head of the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), this financial assistance aims to encourage indigent SPED students to complete their studies regardless of their conditions.

“This is a support system for students with disabilities who are determined to finish their education. With this cash assistance, they can purchase school supplies and other necessities for their studies,” Carranza stated.

He expressed his belief that with government support, persons with disabilities can attend school and complete their education.

“I want everyone to recognize that individuals with disabilities can pursue education from elementary school all the way to college. Therefore, I encourage parents to support and send their children with disabilities to school because my greatest dream for them is to achieve what I have accomplished,” he added.

Carranza, who has a disability himself, completed his education and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree, majoring in Accounting.

Carranza has worked in various agencies and currently heads the PDAO. Despite facing his challenges, he has demonstrated that persons with disabilities (PWDs) are capable of working and making meaningful contributions to society.

Helen Jerus, a SPED teacher, also highlighted the positive impact of cash assistance on her students. She noticed that one of her students, who received the cash incentive, was now able to acquire complete school supplies, which led to increased engagement in class.

“The cash incentive was given to the poorest of the poor with disabilities, and I observed one of my beneficiaries becoming very active. They now have complete and new school materials to use in class, such as paper, pens, pencils, and crayons. The assistance also helped with their transportation, ensuring they can regularly attend my class,” Jerus stated.

Additionally, Rozaldo Ortiz, the guardian of Kevin Ortiz, a grade 12 student with an inborn hearing impairment, expressed gratitude for the cash incentive program.

“This program is a tremendous help for Kevin because he can now purchase his school supplies. I also see that he is more determined to study. He has shared his desire to continue to college, especially now that there is a program like this to help him achieve his dream of becoming a chef,” Ortiz commented. (Neomie Guevarra contributed to this report/PIA Bicol/Sorsogon)