The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is working to ensure that its programs and services continue to evolve and improve to meet the changing needs of vulnerable Filipinos, especially persons with disabilities (PWDs).
This was the main message of Secretary Rex Gatchalian during the 14th anniversary of the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and turnover of 20 electronic buses for the use of persons with disabilities on Friday (June 27) at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City.
“Kailangan sa paggalaw ng mundo, sa pag-evolve ng mundo, sumasabay yung mga programa ng DSWD at yung SLP hindi pwede na yung produkto namin 14 years ago yun pa rin produkto namin 14 years later,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
Secretary Gatchalian explained that while traditional livelihood projects—like selling goods or offering basic services—are still important, it is also timely for the DSWD to explore new ideas that are fit for today’s world, such as the e-buses for persons with disabilities.
This initiative, described by the DSWD chief as the “most creative and modern SLP project to date,” has a two-fold objective — it serves as both a livelihood source and a safe space
mobility solution for persons with disabilities.
“Sa katunayan, palagay ko, ito yung pinaka agresibo na SLP program na meron tayo kasi meron talaga siyang malalaking investment at meron siyang vision toward promotive services. Two-fold siya—pangalagaan o magbigay ng safe na espasyo sa ating mga people with disabilities pero at the same time magkaroon ng hanap buhay yung ating mga people with disabilities,” the DSWD chief pointed out.
The DSWD, under the SLP’s Persons with Disabilities – Electric Transportation Service (PWD-ETS) Project, is now piloting these e-buses in partnership with the Global Electric Transport (GET) Philippines, Incorporated.
“So excited kami ngayong araw dahil bente (20) na SLPAs ang makikilahok, magiging benepisyaryo ng programa na ito. Pero hayaan niyo na syempre pasalamatan ko ang ating mga partner—ang GET Philippines, sa pamumuno ni Freddie Tinga na matagal na naming kasama sa public service, sa lahat ng mga SLPA groups na nagtiyaga i-organize kasi alam ko pag bago mahirap talaga,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
The DSWD is also planning to collaborate with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and other concerned agencies for the expansion of the project to mainstream the e-buses for commercial use.
“Ang iniisip na namin, mag-uusap kami ni DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon, ito ay public transport for people with disabilities kasi ngayon ay nago-operate sya as corporate shuttle. Yung malalaking kompanya na may empleyado na persons with disabilities, inaarkila itong mga bus na ito para sa transport ng kanilang manggagawa na persons with disabilities. Pero ang napag-usapan namin, kailangan nitong maging available para sa general public na persons with disabilities,” Secretary Gatchalian said. (YADP)