The City Government of Davao has finalized the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the annual financial assistance program for qualified Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), paving the way for the full implementation of the P1,500 yearly subsidy while imposing strict safeguards against fraudulent claims.
Through Executive Order No. 23, the city promulgated the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of City Ordinance No. 049-25, Series of 2025, otherwise known as the ordinance granting annual financial assistance to qualified PWDs in Davao City.
Approved on November 25, 2025, the ordinance provides an annual financial assistance of P1,500 to eligible PWDs residing in the city.
Under the IRR, beneficiaries must possess a valid PWD Identification Card issued by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) and be registered voters of Davao City.
The rules, however, recognize exemptions for PWDs who are not registered voters. According to the city, they may still qualify by presenting a barangay-issued certification proving at least three years of residency in Davao City.
The IRR emphasizes that persons with intellectual, learning, or mental disabilities, as well as bedridden individuals who are not registered voters, must also present a certification from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) assigned to their barangay through their guardians.
Children with disabilities are likewise covered under the program, provided that their parents or guardians submit a CSWDO certification together with a barangay-issued certificate confirming at least three years of residency.
The IRR also outlines grounds for disqualification. Applicants who submit fraudulent documents, misrepresent their disability status, use expired PWD identification cards, or whose disability has been medically cured will not be entitled to the assistance.
According to the IRR, those already receiving financial assistance under the city’s senior citizen, solo parent, or other local government assistance programs are likewise excluded from the benefit.
Qualified beneficiaries must personally claim the financial assistance upon presenting their valid PWD ID issued by the PDAO.
For bedridden PWDs, authorized representatives may claim the assistance by presenting an authorization letter or notarized affidavit, the beneficiary’s PWD ID, and their own government-issued identification.
For beneficiaries with intellectual, learning, or mental disabilities, the order of authorized representatives follows the priority of spouse, children, parents, grandparents, legal guardian, or any person authorized by the court.
Meanwhile, financial assistance for children with disabilities may be claimed by their parents, grandparents, guardians, or court-authorized representatives.
To protect the integrity of the program, the IRR imposes penalties for fraudulent claims.
Individuals who unlawfully avail themselves of the financial assistance will face fines of P2,000 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 for the third offense.
The IRR also states that the same penalties apply to relatives or individuals who falsify authorization letters to illegally obtain the assistance.
Barangay officials found to have wrongfully issued residency certifications may face both administrative and criminal liability under existing laws, while anyone caught falsifying a PWD identification card will be prosecuted under the provisions of the Revised Penal Code.
