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¹ Republic Act No. 7277, Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, as amended by RA 9442 and RA 10070. 
² 2016 National Disability Prevalence Survey (NDPS), Philippine Statistics Authority (https://psa.gov.ph). 
³ “Disability and Poverty in the Philippines,” The Borgen Project, https://borgenproject.org/disability-and-poverty-in-the-philippines. 
⁴ 1987 Philippine Constitution, Article XIII, Section 11 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1916
Introduced by  
REPRESENTATIVE FRANZ S. PUMAREN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Persons with disabilities (PWDs) continue to face systemic barriers to full participation in 
society, including limited access to education, healthcare, employment, and social protection. 
Despite the passage of landmark legislation such as Republic Act No. 7277, or the “Magna Carta 
for Persons with Disabilities,” many indigent PWDs remain at the margins, unseen, underserved, 
and under-supported.¹ 
According to the 2016 National Disability Prevalence Survey (NDPS) conducted by the 
Philippine Statistics Authority, approximately 12% of Filipinos aged 15 and older experience 
severe disability, while nearly half report moderate limitations.² These conditions are often 
compounded by poverty, resulting in a cycle of exclusion that prevents PWDs from achieving a 
decent standard of living.³ 
The 1987 Philippine Constitution, in Article XIII, Section 11, mandates the State to 
prioritize the needs of vulnerable groups, including PWDs, within the framework of an integrated 
and comprehensive approach to health and social development.⁴ To fulfill this constitutional 
mandate, there is an urgent need to establish a social pension system for indigent PWDs, similar 
to the existing pension program for indigent senior citizens. 
This measure seeks to grant a monthly disability allowance of Two Thousand Pesos 
(₱2,000) to indigent PWDs.  
This modest but meaningful support can help cover the additional expenses often 
associated with disability, such as medicines, assistive devices, transportation, and basic needs. 
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with the 
National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), shall be tasked to maintain a secure, updated, 
and accessible database to ensure effective targeting and delivery of benefits. 
While this proposal entails fiscal support from the government, its social return is far 
greater. By investing in the dignity, inclusion, and well-being of indigent PWDs, we move closer 
to building a society that leaves no one behind. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
FRANZ S. PUMAREN 
 3rd District, Quezon City 
July 15, 2025 
3:00 pm


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1916 
Introduced by  
REPRESENTATIVE FRANZ S. PUMAREN 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE SOCIAL PENSION OF  
INDIGENT PERSONS WITH DISABILITY (PWDs), AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Social Pension for Indigent 
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Persons with Disability Act.” 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to promote a just and 
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dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the 
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people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full 
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employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all. The State shall 
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provide priority needs of vulnerable sectors such as persons with disabilities. In pursuance of this 
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end, social protection measures such as the grant of monthly social pension shall be extended to 
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indigent persons with disabilities. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms are defined 
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as follows: 
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a.
“Indigent Person” – refers to a person who has no visible means of income or support,
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or whose income may not be sufficient for the subsistence or basic needs of his/her
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family, as may be determined by the Department of Social Welfare and Development
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(DSWD).
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b. “Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)” – refer to individuals suffering from restriction of
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different abilities as a result of a mental, physical or sensory disability, impairment,
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and handicap to perform an activity in the manner within the range considered normal
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for a human being.
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c. “Indigent Person with Disability” – refers to a person with disability who has no 
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pension, permanent source of income, or regular support from his/her relatives to meet 
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his/her basic needs. 
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d. “Impairment” – is any loss, diminution, or aberration of psychological, physiological, 
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or anatomical structure of function. 
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e. “Disability” refers to: 
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i. 
A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more 
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psychological, physiological, or anatomical functions of an individual or 
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activities of such individual; 
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ii. 
A record of such an impairment; or 
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iii. 
Being regarded as having such an impairment. 
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f. “Handicap” – refers to a disadvantage for a given individual resulting from an 
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impairment or a disability, that limits or prevents the functions or activity, that is 
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considered normal given the age and sex of the individual. 
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SECTION 4. Coverage. – All indigent PWDs, as verified and certified by the DSWD and the 
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National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) shall be covered by the provisions of this Act.  
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The eligible PWD shall be entitled to a monthly social pension from the DSWD amounting to Two 
17 
thousand pesos (Php 2,000.00) to augment his/her daily subsistence, subject to existing 
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government auditing rules and regulations. 
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SECTION 5. Database of PWDs. – To implement effectively, a database of all eligible 
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indigent PWDs should be created by the NCDA and DSWD. Renewed efforts must be made to 
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collect comprehensive, accurate and updated information that can be disaggregated according to a 
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wide range of variables as a basis for effective planning and implementation services, and 
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monitoring, and evaluation. The creation and management of this database shall adhere strictly to 
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the standards set forth in Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the “Data Privacy Act of 
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2012.” 
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SECTION 6. Policy on PWD Identification Cards. – The issuance of PWD Identification 
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Cards pursuant to Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Persons with 
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Disabilities,” as amended, along with other relevant administrative issuances and local ordinances, 
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shall incorporate the information necessary for the granting of the monthly social pension to 
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eligible PWDs. The issuance of an authentic PWD Identification Card is a pre-requisite to qualify 
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as a beneficiary under this Act.  
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SECTION 7. Penal Provisions. – The penalties shall apply to the following: 
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a. Any PWD, or his/her parent or his/her relative of any degree of consanguinity or 
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affinity, or any third person found to be deliberately committing any fraudulent act of 
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enrolling a PWD to the program when said person is not indigent shall suffer the 
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following: 
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i. 
For the first violation, a fine of not less than Twenty-five thousand pesos (Php 
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25,000.00) but not exceeding Fifty thousand pesos (Php 50,000.00); and 
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ii. 
For any subsequent violation, a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos 
1 
(Php50,000.00) but not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (Php 100,000.00). 
2 
b. Any person, natural or judicial, violating any provision of this Act and its Implementing 
3 
Rules and Regulations (IRR), except violations pertaining to Subsection a of this 
4 
Section, shall be penalized with a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (Php 
5 
50,000.00) but not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (Php 100,000.00). If the 
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violator is a corporation, organization or any similar juridical entity, the officials 
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directly involved and responsible shall be liable therefor. 
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c. If any PWD, or his/her parent or his/her relative of any degree of consanguinity or 
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affinity or any third person fails to settle the fines specific on Subsections a and b of 
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this Section, the penalty of aresto mayor in its maximum period shall be imposed. 
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SECTION 8. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall 
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be included in the annual General Appropriations of the year following its enactment into law and 
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thereafter. 
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SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the 
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effectivity of this Act, the DSWD, in consultation with the NCDA, Department of Interior and 
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Local Government, Department of Health, and other relevant government agencies and non-
17 
government organizations, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the 
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provisions of this Act. 
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SECTION 10. Suppletory Clause. – The provisions of Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise 
20 
known as the “Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities,” as amended by Republic Act No. 10754 
21 
and Republic Act No. 9442, have suppletory effect to the provisions of this Act. 
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SECTION 11. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid or 
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unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. – All other laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, 
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other issuances, rules, and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
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are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 13. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its publication in 
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the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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