Western visayas: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) implemented the cash-for-work program for persons with disabilities (CFW-PWD) under the "TheraFee" modality in four local government units in Western Visayas.

According to Philippines News Agency, the pilot areas are Madalag with 24 beneficiaries and New Washington with 21, both in Aklan; nine from Bingawan, Iloilo; and 20 from Sibunag, Guimaras. The TheraFee initiative, in collaboration with the National Council on Disability Affairs, is designed for persons with disabilities (PWD) with permanent total disabilities, providing targeted assistance, care, and support.

Under TheraFee, caregivers, who are the primary recipients, perform caregiving services for their families with total disabilities, who are considered secondary recipients. The salary for the 10-day, eight-hour caregiving service is PHP5,130, which will be funded by the PHP5.13 million allocation for this year's implementation of the regular CFW-PWD.

Judith Barredo, DSWD Field Office for Western Visayas Promotive Services Division chief, explained that the TheraFee initiative is essentially monetizing caregiver services or their unpaid care work, targeting beneficiaries with totally permanent disabilities like cerebral palsy and bedridden conditions. A payout for beneficiaries in Aklan was conducted last month, while payouts for Bingawan and Sibunag are set for July 10 and 11, respectively.

Barredo expressed hopes for the program's expansion next year if the implementation proves successful. The project is being carried out in areas covered by the Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay of the Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan - Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services program. Western Visayas was chosen for the pilot program because it has the most registered PWDs and was receptive to the pilot implementation this year.