Senator Raffy Tulfo expressed strong support for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) budget for Project Aruga, which aims to provide inclusive support to children with disabilities (CWDs) and their families.
During the Senate plenary deliberations on the proposed 2026 budget of the DSWD, Tulfo urged the agency to expand the program’s coverage and increase the level of assistance provided to beneficiaries.
Budget sponsor Senator Pia Cayetano confirmed that Project Aruga is currently a pilot program implemented in only four local government units (LGUs), with 400 beneficiaries receiving a one-time disability support allowance of ₱10,000 each.
Dapat ding ikonsidera ang pagbibigay ng buwanang allowance sa mga benepisyaryo.
“Maganda ang programang ito kaya sana ay mapalawak pa natin ang Project Aruga. Dapat ding ikonsidera ang pagbibigay ng buwanang allowance sa mga benepisyaryo imbes na one-time 10,000 pesos,” Tulfo said.
“Mainam kung mabigyan sila ng regular na tulong pinansyal.”
“Alam naman natin na napakagastos mag-aruga ng children with disabilities, mula sa pamasahe papunta sa therapy hanggang sa iba pang medical needs. Mainam kung mabigyan sila ng regular na tulong pinansyal,” the lawmaker added.
Cayetano acknowledged that the program’s coverage remains limited but noted a positive development since Project Aruga’s ₱44.462 million budget for 2025 has been increased by an additional ₱75 million for 2026.
