DSWD launches ‘Project Aruga’ in Laoag

The city government of Laoag, represented by Mayor James Bryan Alcid, and DSWD Usec for Innovation and Program Development Eduardo M. Punay lead the project launching and signing of the memorandum of agreement for the launch of “Project Aruga” in the city. They are joined by CSWDO Officer Perlita Cabello and DSWD Regional Director Field Office I Marie Angela S. Gopalan (upper photo) while members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas hands over a certificate of appreciation to Punay and Gopalan for the said project (lower photo). (Doms dela Cruz)

By Dominic Dela Cruz, Staff reporter

Laoag City—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has formally launched “Project Aruga in the city and the subsequent signing of a memorandum of agreement the city government of Laoag as its fourth pilot implementation area in the entire Philippines on October 21, 2025 at the City Hall Conference Room.

“Project Aruga” is a community-based program that provides disability-inclusive social protection to children with disability and their families to address substantial unmet needs and provides comprehensive social services to provide opportunities towards the development of children with disabilities full potential.

DSWD Usec for Innovation and Program Development Eduardo M. Punay said, “the project prioritizes children who are [classified] as persons with disabilities (PWDs) simply because they have special needs and the DSWD is here to provide care because they need it the most.”

“Ang bilin po sa DSWD ni President Bongbong Marcos ay sisiguraduhin naming mabibigyan ng suporta at interbensyon lahat ng sector ng mga mahihirap at bulnerable kayat ating sinimulan itong Project Aruga dahil ito pong mga benepisyaryo natin ay nasa bulnerableng sector na kailangan i-prioritize ng gobyerno at pamahalaan,” Punay added.

He said that the DSWD will give PHP10,000 each to the beneficiaries for their needs, which they hope will strengthen the four pilot areas for this project in the country so they can design a better implementation of the project in a nationwide scale next year.

DSWD Regional Director Marie Angela S. Gopalan said records show that Region I ranked sixth in the prevalence of PWDs and there are 139,000 PWDs across the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan based on consolidated reports.

In Laoag City, record shows there are around 3,000 PWDs of which there are approximately 440 are children.

DSWD pilot implementation division chief Jayson D. Oabel said “Project Aruga” aims to: enhance detection and registration of children with disability; provide disability allowance to address the unmet needs; increase access to social welfare in development services; and capacitate volunteers to deliver home care support services.

Oabel also noted that project has four components: data management and referral network; disability allowance; auxiliary services; and capability building activities.

Laoag Mayor James Bryan Alcid thanked the DSWD Central Office and Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos (Ilocos Norte, 1^st District) for their immediate response through this project to support children with disabilities (CWDs).

Alcid promised that this administration will not stop helping people who needs help especially those who belong to highly vulnerable sectors, including PWDs.

The mayor said “Project Aruga” would be of immense help aside from the assistance given by the city government to PWDs and he hopes this project will be implemented at the soonest possible time.

“Sapay la kuma ta saan nga ag increase iti children with disabilities’en appo isu launay ti idawdawat ko. isut pagsasaritaan mi itay ta sapay la kuma ta saan nga umadon for next year ngem uray no kasta, nangi allocate kam latta ti nayon a pondo no kaspagarigan manayunan isuda,” Alcid stressed.

Relative to this, the Sangguniang Panlungsod approved a resolution granting authority to the mayor to enter into a memorandum for and on behalf of the city government with the DSWD Social Technology Bureau, represented by Punay and DSWD Regional Gopalan for the implementation of “Project Aruga” program in the city.

Laoag Councilor Atty. Donald Nicolas, who sponsored the measure, said “Project Aruga” is an intervention that will provide holistic care and support to CWDs and their families to address substantial unmet needs and provide comprehensive social services to provide opportunities towards the development of CWD’s full potential and that the city government has signified its full support and willingness to become one of the areas for the pilot implementation of the project.