Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________ 
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO  
Partylist Representative Alfred Delos Santos 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
According to the National Council on Disability Affairs, the population of Persons with 
Disabilities (PWDs) in the Philippines is estimated to be around 1.8 million.1 Despite 
various legislative measures aimed at promoting their welfare, such as the 
Constitution (Article XIII Section 11) and Republic Act No. 7227 or the "Magna Carta 
of Disabled Persons," PWDs still face significant difficulties. 
During the pandemic, the employment conditions for PWDs deteriorated significantly. 
The labor force participation rate among PWDs saw a substantial decline, dropping 
from 22% in January 2019 to a mere 18% in January 2022.2 The decrease highlights 
the increased challenges faced by PWDs in securing and retaining employment during 
this period of economic uncertainty and health crisis. 
Aside from the limited employment opportunities available to persons with disabilities 
(PWDs), a significant number of indigent PWDs continue to face financial hardship. 
In a 2022 report from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 
on the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), out of 4,285,531 Pantawid 
households, 177,284 (4.14%) include individuals with disabilities. Among these 
households, the majority have members with mental disabilities (29,916 cases), 
followed by speech disabilities (25,559 cases), and other disabilities (48,793 cases). 
The statistics reveal that approximately 1 PWD is included in every 25 households 
benefiting from the DSWD's 4Ps Program.3 
PWDs, regardless of their socio-economic status, suffer the same consequences of 
the barriers to their economic participation and social inclusion. Thus, it is necessary 
to introduce a universal allowance for all PWDs in the Philippines. The allowance 
would provide a stable and reliable source of income, thereby alleviating poverty and 
1 https://ncda.gov.ph 
2 Rappler. (n.d.). Persons with disability struggle in the Philippine workforce. Retrieved from 
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/persons-with-disability-struggle-philippine-workforce/ 
3 Department of Social Welfare and Development (2022). Monthly Report on Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program 
Implementation. Retrieved from: https://pantawid.dswd.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/4Ps-Third-Quarter-
2022-Accomplishment-Report.pdf 
11445
February 5, 2025
3:26 pm


reducing economic disparities among PWDs. Ensuring that PWDs can meet their basic 
needs—including healthcare, nutrition, and housing—would not only improve their 
living conditions but also enable them to participate more fully in social, cultural, and 
economic activities. By providing financial support, the allowance would empower 
PWDs to contribute to and benefit from national development, fostering a more 
inclusive society. To ensure that the system will not be abused, monitoring 
mechanisms shall be in place.  
Investing in the welfare of PWDs through a universal allowance is anticipated to yield 
long-term societal benefits. Improved health, education, and economic participation 
among PWDs would contribute to national productivity and social cohesion. By 
addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality faced by PWDs, the allowance 
would promote a more equitable and inclusive society, ensuring that all citizens, 
regardless of their physical or mental capabilities, can contribute to and benefit from 
the nation's progress. This approach not only aligns with ethical imperatives but also 
with practical considerations for sustainable national development.  
 
It is for the foregoing premises that the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


    Republic of the Philippines  
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila  
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________ 
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO  
Partylist Representative Alfred Delos Santos 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE SOCIAL PENSION OF  PERSONS WITH 
DISABILITY (PWDs), AND APPROPRIATING  FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:  
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Social Pension Para sa 
PWD Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
promote a just and dynamic  social order that will ensure the prosperity and 
independence of the nation and free the people  from poverty through policies that 
provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a  rising standard of 
living, and an improved quality of life for all.  
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms are 
defined as follows: 
(a) Persons with Disabilities are individuals suffering from restriction of different
abilities, as a result of a mental, physical or sensory impairment, to perform an
activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being;
(b) Impairment is any loss, diminution or aberration of psychological, physiological,
or anatomical structure of function;
(c) Disability shall mean (1) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits
one or more psychological, physiological or anatomical function of an individual or
activities of such individual; (2) a record of such an impairment; or (3) being
regarded as having such an impairment;
(d) Handicap refers to a disadvantage for a given individual resulting from an
impairment or a disability, that limits or prevents the functions or activity, that is
considered normal given the age and sex of the individual;
11445


SECTION 4. Coverage. – All PWDs, as verified and certified by the Department of 
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the  National Council on Disability 
Affairs (NCDA), duly certified as such under the disability assessment and 
determination system that is based on a human rights approach, shall be 
covered by the provisions of this Act.   
 
SECTION 5. Disability Support Allowance Program. - A Disability Support Allowance 
Program shall be established under the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD), in consultation with the National Council on Disability Affairs 
and representative organizations of persons with disabilities. The Disability Support 
Allowance Program aims to cover disability related cost of an individual according to 
what person decides as immediate need, such as but not limited to transportation 
allowance, nutrition, maintenance medicines, rehabilitation services, temporary 
human assistance, among others.  
 
The PWD shall be entitled to a monthly social pension from the DSWD amounting to 
One Thousand pesos (Php 1,000.00), subject to existing  government auditing rules 
and regulations. Provided, a PWD may opt to waive such entitlement through proper 
procedures and documentation facilitated by the implementing authorities. 
 
SECTION 6. Disability Data Management System. - A Disability Data Management 
System shall be developed and shall be linked to a Community-Based Monitoring 
System (CBMS). The system shall incorporate the Disability Identification Cards, 
issued pursuant to Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, along with other relevant 
laws, administrative issuances, and local ordinances. The system shall be regularly 
monitored and verified by the DSWD to ensure that only eligible PWDs are included. 
 
SECTION 7. Penal Provisions. - The penalties shall apply to the following:  
 
a) Any person who through fraud or misrepresentation applies for, or aids in the 
application for benefits under this law without being a qualified person with 
disability entitled thereto shall suffer the following penalties:  
i. For the first violation, a fine of not less than Twenty-Five Thousand pesos 
(Php 25,000.00) but not exceeding Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00); 
and  
ii. For subsequent violation, a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand pesos (Php 
50,000.00) but not exceeding One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 
100,000.00).  
b) Any person violating any provision of this Act and its implementing rules and 
regulations, except violations pertaining to Subsection (a) of this Section, shall 
be penalized with a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00) 
but not exceeding One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00). 
 
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the NCDA, in consultation with the DSWD and other relevant 


government agencies and nongovernment organizations, shall formulate the 
implementing rules and regulations of this Act. 
 
SECTION 9. Appropriations and Initial Implementation. – The necessary amount for 
the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual appropriations for the 
DSWD.  
 
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act, or part hereof, is 
held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.  
 
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. – All other laws, presidential decrees, orders, and 
issuances or portions thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.  
 
SECTION 12. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,