The city government has released the allowances of some 80 prisoners at the Iwahig penal facility who are registered with the city as persons with disabilities (PWD).
The allowances, amounting to P600 for every quarter, were mandated by City Ordinance 994 and includes as beneficiaries even persons deprived of liberty (PDL).
ICF spokesperson corrections technical officer II Levi Evangelista said the allowances released were for the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2019, equivalent to P1,200 for each beneficiary.
“Tulong ito ng city government sa ating mga PDL. Kahit di naman sila botante ay na-bigyan sila ng certification,” he said.
Aside from the quarterly allowance, PDLs received a discount booklet and PWD identification card that they could use even after release from prison.
He added that one out of 183 returnees was also included as a recipient of the allowance. He said that the returnee was included as beneficiary when he was still committed inside the prison.
“Yong iba ay naputulan, may na-stroke, meron naman inborn. May certification ng doctor at nagkaroon sila ng booklets at ID,” he said.
“Overwhelming, pasasalamat sa city government na ma-consider kahit PDL. Dito kasi sa Iwahig ay first-time ito, malaking bagay sa mga PDL, itong tulong na ito ay extra effort,” he added.
He added that the quarterly allowance of P600 will increase to P1200 in the year 2020 because of the amendment in the city ordinance.
