Children with physical disabilities in Antique’s capital town are beneficiaries of the Children’s Health, Education, and Resources for Inclusion, Support and Hope (CHERISH) project that would provide them holistic quality care and support.

Amy Dava, San Jose de Buenavista head of the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO), said in an interview Friday that their municipality was identified as the pilot area for the Visayas of the CHERISH project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which would provide PHP2,000 in monthly financial assistance to identified beneficiaries and training for their parents and communities.

San Jose de Buenavista has 309 children with physical disabilities, mostly suffering from cerebral palsy.

“The children-beneficiaries are those who have severe disability and are really needy,” Dava said.

She said that on Oct. 24, San Jose de Buenavista Mayor Justin Encarnacion signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with DSWD Undersecretary for Innovation Group Eduardo Punay and Regional Director Arwin Razo for the project implementation starting January next year.

The financial assistance could be used by the beneficiary children for their health, educational, and other needs.

“We hope that with the provision, children will now have money to pay for their transportation needs in going for their therapy sessions in our therapy center or that they could buy their school supplies if they are attending classes,” Dava said.

Aside from the financial assistance, parents and caregivers of the beneficiaries will also have training on how to provide proper care to the children and community-based rehabilitation.

She also said that their LGU is studying to provide assistance to the remaining 209 children not covered by the CHERISH project. (PNA)