Different, Not Deficient: How a cash-for-work beneficiary redefined ability and dignity

DAVAO CITY (April 24) – “Even if you’re a person with disability, you can still contribute to the community.”

These are the words that 47-year-old Henry Aquitan lives by. A father of three and a proud resident of Lower Bala, Magsaysay, Henry has long carried the weight of providing for his family, despite living with a physical disability. But rather than let it define his limits, Henry has made it his mission to prove that disability is not a limitation.

For years, Henry took on whatever odd jobs he could find to support his family. But with limited mobility and few accessible opportunities, the road was never easy. Things became even tougher when one of his children started college. With expenses piling up, he found himself lying awake many nights, unsure how to make ends meet.

That changed when he became a beneficiary of the Cash-for-Work (CFW) Program for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) under KALAHI-CIDSS, a program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The program offered him not just a source of income, but something far more valuable — a renewed sense of purpose.

Henry participated in community projects, including clean-up drives around the child development center, minor repair work, and environmental conservation efforts. All the tasks were carefully designed to match his capabilities and skills. What he received in return wasn’t just cash — it was dignity.

“Ang programa wala lang makahatag nako og income, nahatagan ko niini og dignidad — kung asa wala lang ko nakatabang sa panginahanglan sa akong pamilya, apil na sad sa akong barangay,” Henry said with a smile.

(The program didn’t just give me income, it gave me dignity. I was able to help not just my family, but also my barangay.)

The assistance he received helped cover school fees, daily essentials, and eventually enabled one of his children to graduate from college, a first for the Aquitan family.

Today, Henry stands as the elected president of their local PWD association, using his voice to inspire others like him to rise above doubt, discrimination, and despair. Through his leadership, he continues to advocate for inclusivity and opportunities for people with disabilities (PWDs) in his community.

He stressed that being a person with a disability (PWD) “doesn’t mean you’re useless. Yes, we have limitations, but we also have strengths. We need the proper support and trust from the community, and programs like KALAHI-CIDSS prove that.”

Through Henry’s story, the Cash-for-Work program proves that true empowerment happens when people are given a chance to participate, contribute, and lead, regardless of their physical condition.

The CFW Program for PWDs offers short-term cash assistance in exchange for 6 to 10 days of community-based work and is intended for people with disabilities (PWDs) and vulnerable households affected by poverty or crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

For Henry, that short-term intervention sparked a lifelong transformation. And for his community, he is no longer just seen as a man with a disability — he is a leader, a father, and an inspiration.