Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is planning to expand the reach of Project Aruga, a community-based initiative that supports children with disabilities and their families through financial assistance and other support services. Project Aruga currently has 400 beneficiaries being served by the DSWD in four cities across four regions with the largest number of persons with disabilities.

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao stated that the project is in its pilot implementation phase and that plans are underway to scale up and increase the number of pilot areas. The project is currently being tested in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; San Jose de Buenavista, Antique; and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

Apart from the PHP10,000 financial aid provided to children with disabilities and their families, the community also receives non-monetary assistance, such as home care and community support services, case management, and referral services. Dumlao noted that the Aruga project aims to enhance detection and registration of children with disabilities, increase access to social welfare and development services, and capacitate volunteers, caregivers, and local implementers to deliver home care support services.

During the Senate deliberations on the DSWD's PHP224.53 billion proposed budget for 2026, Senator Raffy Tulfo expressed his support for the expansion of the project, acknowledging the need to provide monthly allowance to beneficiaries. Senator Pia Cayetano, who sponsored the DSWD's budget in the Senate plenary deliberation, also expressed full support for the program's expansion. Cayetano highlighted the plan to increase the number of beneficiaries from 400 in 2025 to 1,200 in 2026 and emphasized the importance of providing more support to families of children with disabilities.