LUBAO, Pampanga – A memorandum of agreement has been signed between the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Provincial Government of Pampanga and the Lubao local government for a project catering to children with disabilities.
Dubbed Project Aruga, the initiative aims to provide responsive and inclusive social services tailored to the needs of CWDs, ensuring that they and their families receive adequate support and opportunities for development.
“Kailangan sila talaga ang arugain. Ito ang aking pangarap—na ang mga batang ipinanganak na bingi, lumpo, o bulag, na madalas ay napapabayaan at iniisip na walang kinabukasan, ay mabigyan ng sapat na atensyon,” enthused Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda during the ceremonial MOA signing on April 10 with DSWD Field Office 3 director Venus Rebuldela, Lubao Mayor Esmeralda Pineda, and sangguniang bayan committee on social services chair Jayson Victorino.
According to the DSWD, Lubao town was chosen as the pilot area for the program’s implementation in the region, initially targeting 100 beneficiaries among CWDs from poor and vulnerable families, particularly those with speech, learning, psychosocial, physical, intellectual, and mental disabilities, as well as those who are deaf or mute, have visual impairments, cancer, or rare diseases. Mayor Pineda said the initiative complements existing support provided by the provincial government at the Pampanga Children’s Center here. She also pledged that the LGU will carefully oversee the screening process to ensure that the most deserving indigent beneficiaries are selected.
Through this initiative, beneficiaries will receive a range of services, including early detection and intervention, financial assistance amounting to P2,000 per month for one year, and improved access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities.
The project also emphasizes capacity-building by providing training programs for parents and caregivers to enhance their ability to support their children.
“Bibigyan po natin sila ng assistance upang masuportahan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan. Ipi-pilot po natin ito ng isang taon, at magi-scale up po tayo next year para sa karagdagang beneficiaries,” Rebuldela explained. Pampanga PIO
