LUBAO, Pampanga — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) held a ceremonial signing of memorandum of agreement with the Provincial Government of Pampanga and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Lubao for the implementation of Project Aruga on Friday, April 10, 2026.
The MOA signing was led by Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, DSWD Field Office III Regional Director Venus Rebuldela, Lubao Mayor Esmeralda Pineda, and Sangguniang Bayan Chairperson on Social Services, Councilor Jayson Victorino.
Project Aruga aims to provide responsive and inclusive social services tailored to the needs of children with disabilities, ensuring that they and their families receive adequate support and opportunities for development.
“Kailangan sila talaga ang arugain. Ito ang aking pangarap—na ang mga batang ipinanganak na bingi, lumpo, o bulag, na madalas ay napapabayaan at iniisip na walang kinabukasan, ay mabigyan ng sapat na atensyon,” the governor said.
According to the DSWD, Lubao, Pampanga was chosen as the pilot area for the program’s implementation in the region, initially targeting 100 beneficiaries. These include children with disabilities from poor and vulnerable families, particularly those with speech, learning, psychosocial, physical, intellectual, and mental disabilities, as well as those who are deaf or mute, have visual impairments, cancer, or rare diseases.
Mayor Pineda said the initiative complements existing support provided by the Provincial Government to children with special needs at the Pampanga Children’s Center here. She also pledged that the LGU will carefully oversee the screening process to ensure that the most deserving indigent beneficiaries
are selected.
Through this initiative, beneficiaries will receive a range of services, including early detection and intervention, financial assistance amounting to ₱2,000 per month for one year, and improved access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities.
The project also emphasizes capacity-building by providing training programs for parents and caregivers to enhance their ability to support their children.
“Bibigyan po natin sila ng assistance upang masuportahan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan. Ipipilot po natin ito ng isang taon, at magse-scale up po tayo next year para sa karagdagang beneficiaries,” Rebuldela explained.
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