Philippines (the)

Government responses

Mainstreaming of disability inclusion, participation, and partnerships

• [25 May 2020] Guidelines on mall operations have been issued, including limiting lift access to older persons, persons with disabilities and pregnant women, with one companion allowed.
• [9 July 2020] As part of the celebration of the 42nd National Disability Prevention Week, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office in Antique has searched for persons with disabilities who had shown heroic acts during the pandemic.

Continued access to goods and services

• [25 March 2020] The town of Paranas has launched an errand service to help older persons and persons with disabilities get essential items from the nearest city amid travel restrictions.
• [31 March 2020] The Department of the Interior and Local Government has issued the Guidelines on Providing Proper Welfare of Persons with Disabilities during the Enhanced Community Quarantine due to the Corona Virus 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic. The Guidelines focus on the distribution of food and essential items to persons with disabilities by Barangay Captains.
• [9 April 2020] The local government in Iloilo City has ordered that the first hour of operations of all establishments should be dedicated to vulnerable groups, including older persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and other vulnerable sectors.
• [17 April 2020] The Department of the Interior and Local Government has required local government units to ensure that persons with disabilities could use barangay vehicles in emergency situations.
• [6 August 2020] Amid preparations for the opening of classes, the Department of Education has been urged to ensure that learners with disabilities would have access to therapies and other health care and rehabilitation services.

Medical and quarantine policies and processes 

• [January 2021] Persons with disabilities would be prioritized as part of the Priority Eligible Group B in the vaccine roll-out.

Accessible public information

• [3 April 2020] The National Council on Disability Affairs has issued an accessible copy of the Guidelines on Providing Proper Welfare of Persons with Disabilities during the Enhanced Community Quarantine due to the Corona Virus 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic.

Social protection and employment support

• [26 March 2020] The local government in Dumaguete City would provide a rice subsidy for 30,000 indigent families and individuals, including persons with disabilities and older persons.
• [31 March 2020] Valenzuela City has launched the City Care Bag for registered children with severe disabilities and impairment. This is in addition to the City Food Voucher and the Valenzuela City Market on Wheels Programme.
• [1 April 2020] The Department of Social Welfare and Development has provided initial assistance of 4,764 food packs for residents in the cities of San Jose del Monte, Meycauayan and Malolos, as well as in the towns of Pandi and San Miguel during the quarantine period. This assistance has been received by older persons and persons with disabilities.
• [3 April 2020] The government has announced a PHP200 billion cash subsidy for affected workers in the informal sector and vulnerable citizens such as persons with disabilities.
• [13 April 2020] The City Social Welfare and Development Office has initially released PHP 2.19 million to 438 beneficiaries of the national Social Amelioration Programme (SAP) in Zamboanga City. The beneficiaries include older persons, solo parents, persons with disabilities, distressed overseas Filipino workers, indigent indigenous peoples, underprivileged sectors, and homeless citizens.
• [17 April 2020] The Department of the Interior and Local Government has emphasized that persons with disabilities should be prioritized in the distribution of relief goods.
• [6 May 2020] More than PHP 50 billion has been distributed to 9.5 million families covered by SAP.
• [30 June 2020] The Department of Social Welfare and Development has provided increased support on assistive devices. Persons with disabilities might request this support through the Persons with Disability Welfare Programme and Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) at the Crisis Intervention Unit field offices.
• [15 July 2020] The Department of Labor and Employment has created a survey to assess the impact of the pandemic on persons with disabilities, with the intention of ensuring disability-inclusive recovery in employment and livelihood.
• [18 July 2020] The Department of Agrarian Reform would select 15 female agrarian reform beneficiaries from six provinces to support their livelihood in crisis by providing a livelihood package based on their preferences and capabilities. Women with disabilities undertaking farming activities are one of the primary target groups.
• [27 July 2020] The provincial government of Pangasinan has launched a livelihood aid programme, with cash assistance of PHP 400 each particularly targeting persons with disabilities.
• [19 August 2020] Around PHP 77.9 billion cash assistance has been distributed to 13,000,080 family beneficiaries under the second tranche of SAP. The beneficiaries include frail older persons and persons with disabilities.
• [28 August 2020] The San Juan City government has released cash assistance under SAP to residents in an indoor stadium, with a special lane for persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and older persons to claim their financial aid.

Last modified: 6 May 2021