By Mary Therese D. Ancheta
LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with the Laoag City Government and the Office of House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, launched Project Aruga, a community-based program promoting inclusive protection for children with disabilities (CWDs), through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing and Pledge of Commitment held at Laoag City Hall on October 21.
The event marked the official rollout of Project Aruga in the Ilocos Region, one of four pilot areas nationwide, alongside Puerto Princesa City in Palawan (Region IV-B), San Jose de Buenavista (Region VI), and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur ( Region XI). It also sealed the partnership between the national and local governments to ensure the program’s success in Ilocos Norte.
Strengthening support
Eduardo M. Punay, DSWD Undersecretary for Innovations and Programs Development, described the project as a significant step in strengthening support for one of society’s most vulnerable groups.
“We are here to care for and nurture this special sector because they truly deserve it,” Punay said.
In Ilocos Norte, 21 identified beneficiaries from Laoag City will benefit from the program’s pilot implementation.
Project Aruga, formerly known as Children’s Health, Education, and Resources for Inclusion, Support and Hope (CHERISH), was developed with the help of local and international development partners.
The program follows a whole-of-government approach to ensure that CWDs and their families receive comprehensive, coordinated, and sustainable assistance.
According to Jayson D. Oamel, chief of DSWD’s Pilot Implementation Division, Project Aruga addresses the unmet needs of CWDs through a mix of financial aid, social services, and capacity-building programs.
The program has four key objectives:
- Enhance detection and registration of CWDs;
- Provide a disability allowance to meet their unique needs;
- Expand access to social welfare and development services through inter-agency coordination; and
- Train parents, caregivers, and volunteers to provide effective home care.
Each beneficiary in Laoag City will receive ₱10,000 in financial assistance from DSWD.
Beyond financial aid, Project Aruga will provide parental training, home care education, and community-based rehabilitation services.
Pilot phase and expansion
Oamel said the three-month pilot run in Laoag City will serve as the foundation for a nationwide rollout in 2026, allowing DSWD to refine and improve the program’s design.
DSWD Ilocos Region director Marie Angela S. Gopalan underscored the importance of disability-inclusive initiatives, noting that the region ranks sixth nationwide in terms of the prevalence of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
“In Region I alone, there are over 139,000 PWDs, including about 440 children in Laoag City. These are not just numbers—they represent real families who need continued care and opportunities,” Gopalan said, adding that data on children with disabilities will guide future program expansion in the region.
At the local level, Laoag City continues to advance disability welfare through its Social Pension Program for PWDs and Children with Disabilities, complementing Project Aruga’s goals.
The MOA signing and Pledge of Commitment symbolized a shared commitment to building more compassionate and inclusive communities. (CCMT/MTDA, PIA Ilocos Norte)
