SENATOR Raffy Tulfo expressed full support for the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, highlighting the agency’s Project CHERISH, a program designed to assist children with disabilities such as autism and cerebral palsy.

“For the record, I am very supportive of the DSWD budget, especially since you have a good pilot project that I hope will launch very soon for children with disabilities, particularly those with conditions like autism and cerebral palsy,” Tulfo said.

He added: “I hope there will be more beneficiaries. If a bigger budget is needed, I will fully support it.”

Tulfo noted the significant challenges faced by families raising children with developmental conditions, saying many parents have sought help through his public service program.

“I can fight for that here in the Senate to get it increased because I see how difficult it is for parents… And some of them come to my program, but I can only do so much. So go ahead with your pilot project — it’s very good and encouraging,” he said.

In response, Senator Pia Cayetano, who is sponsoring the DSWD budget in the Senate, confirmed that the original P44-million allocation for programs supporting children with disabilities received an additional P75 million to strengthen Project CHERISH and related services.