Comelec sets special registration for PWDs from July 18 to 23
MANILA CITY, METRO MANILA— Persons with disabilities (PWDs) who wish to vote in the 2013 elections can register from July 18 to 23, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“In observance of the PWD month this June, we are making it easier and more accessible for PWDs to register for the 2013 midterm elections by giving them priority lanes in satellite registration sites such as malls in key cities nationwide,” said Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento.

Sarmiento handles the poll body’s ad hoc committee for PWD registration as well as the special committee on detainee registration.

All election officers have been notified to prioritize the registration of PWDs and to hold satellite registration in accesible areas such as  malls and in barangays with high number of PWDs.

PWDs can only register in malls located in the municipality where he or she resides per registration rules.

Sarmiento urges families of PWDs or barangay officials to help them register early to avoid long queues. Comelec will use the PWDs registration record to map out precincts that will have express lanes for PWDs during elections.

PWD registration also coincides with the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.

MALACAÑAN PALACE

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 33

TRANSFERRING THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY AFFAIRS (NCDA) FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT (OP) TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD)

WHEREAS, the Philippines as a State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), manifests its commitment to promote and protect the rights and welfare of PWDs by way of legislations, programs and institutional support;

WHEREAS Presidential Decree No. 1509, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1761, created the National Commission Concerning Disabled Persons (NCCDP) which was later renamed as the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP) attached to the DSWD by virtue of Executive Order (E.O.) No. 123 (s. 1987);

WHEREAS, the NCWDP is tasked to formulate policies and coordinate the activities of all agencies, whether public or private, concerning disability issues and concerns as well as monitor the implementation of national laws and international commitments;

WHEREAS, E.O. No 232 (s. 1987) provided for the structural and functional reorganization of the NCWDP towards a more effective and efficient delivery of services to PWDs;

WHEREAS, by virtue of E.O. No. 676 (s. 2007), the NCWDP was transferred from the DSWD to OP to further strengthen the government’s programs for the welfare of PWDs;

WHEREAS, E.O. No. 709 (s. 2008) renamed the NCWDP as the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) redefining its functions and organizational structure in consonance with the government’s international commitments and national laws;

WHEREAS, recognizing that majority of PWDs live in a condition of poverty and are faced with challenges as a result of their disabilities that need to be addressed by concerted efforts between and among government agencies and the civil society, both at the national and local levels;

WHEREAS, the DSWD is mandated to provide social protection and promote the rights and welfare of the poor, vulnerable, and the disadvantaged individuals, families and communities to contribute to poverty alleviation and empowerment through social welfare and development (SWD) policies, programs, projects and services implemented with or through local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), peoples organizations (POs), other government organizations (GOs) and members of the civil society;

WHEREAS, the DSWD given its mandate has institutional support that can be provided to the NCDA in order to carry out its functions more effectively;

WHEREAS, one of the thrusts of the present Administration is the streamlining of attached agencies to ensure that each agency has a defined set of functions and obligation in accordance with law; and,

WHEREAS, the Administrative Code of 1987 grants the President the continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Executive Branch;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Transfer of the NCDA to the DSWD. The NCDA is hereby transferred from the OP to the DSWD as its attached agency.

SECTION 2. Ex-officio Chairman. The Secretary of the DSWD shall be the ex-officio Chairman of the Council.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. All Executive Orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this E O. are hereby revoked, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. Separability Clause. In the event that any provision of this E.O. is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the provisions not thereby affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 5. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 5th day of April, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Eleven.

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By Authority of the President:

PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.

Executive Secretary

MANILA, Philippines – To ensure that children with disabilities will have better chances of getting access to quality education, the Department of Education (DepEd) said Monday it will plan actions that to set targets and milestones in basic education. Education Secretary Armin Luistro said that when the Philippine government gave its commitment to meet the Education For All (EFA) in the 2015 Millennium Development Goals, it also meant giving educational opportunities to those with physical disabilities. “We can only honestly say that we are on the track towards the realization of that commitment to the world if we have been able to provide education for all children of school-age with equity and accessibility,” he explained. Luistro added that this is only possible “if we have been able to deliver the appropriate education to all children regardless of their race, size, shape, color, ability or disability.” DepEd continues to push for educational reforms in basic education. One of which, said Luistro, is equipping teachers with proper competencies to better respond to the needs of their learners, “particularly the children who require special attention or those who fall under what they call children with special needs (CSN).” True to its commitment of intensifying its efforts to make EFA a reality, DepEd through the Special Education (SPED) Division of the Bureau of Elementary Education (BEE), in cooperation with the Resources for the Blind Inc. (RBI) will hold its 8th National Teachers’ Congress on Visual Impairment on Nov. 5-7 in Tagaytay City. Luistro said the congress aims to provide teacher-participants with knowledge on providing their visually impaired learners the kind of education interventions and skills for productive life. “Children are our future. Hence, we should always provide them educational programs that will promote their welfare and enhance their opportunities for a meaningful life regardless of their physical capabilities.” He added that DepEd supports children with special needs. “We should never give up on them. It is important that we act on their plight because our role to these visually-impaired students is important to make them feel that they, too, can reach their full potentials.” Luistro said DepEd has y institutionalized a specialized curriculum and developmentally-suited programs to achieve functional literacy for all CSNs through SPED-BEE. The congress aims to provide an avenue for identifying effective means and strategies to overcome pressing issues that affect the delivery of education services to school children whose eyesight have been impaired. “It will also enhance knowledge on managing programs and services for children with visual impairment in the mainstream classes,” Luistro said. It also aims to create a synergy among teachers, parents, administrators, supervisors and professionals on the sustainability and enhancement of programs and services for children with visual impairment. “Also, part of the program is to recognize exemplary performances of SPED teachers,” he revealed. Luistro said that aside from SPED and regular teachers, school administrators from both public and private schools, education supervisors in SPED at the division and regional offices, chiefs/assistant chiefs of the elementary and secondary education divisions, schools division/city superintendents and assistant schools division/city superintendents are also invited to attend. The government and non-government organizations working with children who are visually impaired were also invited. The DepEd chief commended its teachers for committing themselves to help create a difference in these children’s lives. He said that DepEd owes it to the teachers for responding to this big challenge because their dedication to best serve the visually impaired school children will spell the difference in shaping their future. “I appeal to them to carry on the faith so that students will also believe that even with their handicap, they can still excel in areas where they find much interest and they too have a big role to play in building our country,” Luistro said.

The Deaf were not left out.

GMANews.TV teamed up with several deaf educators to interpret the SONA into sign language for those watching the website’s livestream of the speech.

Longtime deaf interpreter Jojo Esposa, an educator from the Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf (MCCID), signed President Aquino’s speech live for the benefit of GMANews.TV’s deaf users. Having worked as an interpreter since 1992, Esposa said that this was the first time in the Philippines that the SONA has been interpreted into sign language for an online webcast.

The idea for doing a sign language interpretation of the SONA began when some members of the deaf community were offended by a phrase included in the English translation of President Aquino’s inaugural speech, explained Maria Veronica Perez, Dean of the De la Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies or DLS-CSB-SDEAS. DLS-CSB-SDEAS was one of several schools for the deaf that have partnered with GMANews.TV and other broadcast news organizations to interpret the SONA into sign language. The other schools are the Philippine Deaf Resource Center, and the MCCID College of Technology, and the Philippine School for the Deaf.

SONA translated into sign language

Law directs govt units to have offices for handicapped persons

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed into law an amendment to an existing law directing all government units to set up an office that will oversee the welfare and promote the rights of people with disability.

Republic Act 10070 directs the setting up of Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in all government units. An amendment to RA 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, it was signed last April 6.

Under the new law, a PDAO shall be created in all provinces, city and municipality to be headed by a qualified disabled person. Its responsibilities include formulating and implementing policies, plans, and program that will promote the welfare of disabled persons; ensuring the implementation of the Accessibility Law; representing the sector in meetings of local development councils and other special bodies; and gathering relevant data on the disabled persons in their localities.

The PDAO shall also disseminate information on programs and activities of disabled persons including training and employment opportunities; monitor fundraising programs and activities for the sector seek donation from local and foreign donors; and ensure that programs and policies for the promotion of the welfare of the sector are funded by both national and local government, among others.

The law also directs the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the National Council on Disability Affairs and relevant groups to review after three years the implementation of the law.

It also instructs the DWSD to ensure that annual budget is provided to fund programs and provide support for disabled persons.

RA 10070 is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3560 that was passed by the Senate on Jan. 18, and House Bill No. 1387 that was passed by the House of Representatives on Jan. 26. – KBK, GMANews.TV

Senator Pia S. Cayetano has welcomed the passage by the Senate of a proposed measure which seeks to give a voice in local governance to the country’s estimated 9.7 million persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Senate Bill No.3560, otherwise known as “An Act establishing the institutional mechanism to ensure the implementation of programs and services for persons with disabilities in every province, city and municipality,” the measure was approved unanimously on second reading by the Senate on December 16 before going on a four-week recess.

Cayetano, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development and the bill’s principal sponsor, said Senate Bill No.3560 mandates the creation of a “Persons with Disability Affairs Office” (PDAO) in every province, city and municipality.

In the case of fourth, fifth and sixth class municipalities, the bill calls on LGUs to designate a “Focal Person” who shall be responsible for coordinating and ensuring the delivery of programs and services for PWDs. Priority in appointment should be given to a PWD with experience in providing services to his or her fellow PWDs.

The measure also renames the term, “disabled persons” into “persons with disabilities” – the internationally accepted and recognized term for people who are either: 1) hearing impaired; 2) orthopedically impaired; 3) visually impaired; and 4) mentally challenged.

Cayetano said several Filipinos with disabilities have proven they can stand out despite their physical limitations. “Disabilities should never be a hindrance to excel in one’s chosen field. By being assets in society, many PWDs are breaking barriers and changing the misimpression that they are a burden to the nation.”

In her sponsorship speech, Cayetano cited several outstanding PWDs, and more can follow with enough support at the local government level:

• Isabela Governor Grace Padaca, whose polio did not prevent her from serving her province mates, a 2008 Ramon Magsaysay awardee for government service;

• Roselle Ambubuyog, visually impaired student from Ateneo who graduated Summa Cum Laude and now heads a number of foundations for the blind while acting as consultant for a US firm that develops new products for the blind;

• Ana Kristina Arce, 23-year-old hearing impaired student who is the first to graduate magna cum laude from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde;

• Olegario “Ollie” Cantos VII, visually impaired Filipino-American lawyer who is presently the Vice-Chairman of United States Pres. Barack Obama’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities; and

• Adeline “Ads” Dumapong-Ancheta, the first Filipina Paralympics medalist who won the bronze medal in powerlifting in the 2000 Paralympics, and has recently gone to swimming despite having no legs below the knee and no right hand..

“Passing Senate Bill 3560 is a step towards the right path. Establishing these institutional mechanisms would ensure that the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons will now be implemented and thus helping our brothers and sisters living with disabilities in their rehabilitation, self-development, and self-reliance and for their eventual integration into the mainstream of society,” Cayetano stressed.

Other coauthors of the measure are Senators Loren Legarda, Lito Lapid, Miriam Defesor-Santiago, Edgardo Angara, Manny Villar, Antonio Trillanes IV, Mar Roxas, Bong Revilla and Alan Peter Cayetano.

Jimson G. Forte, of Mawaque High School SPED Class, wins First Place in the Charcoal Painting Category representing the province of Pampanga, held on July 22, 2009 at SM Pampanga on the occasion of the regional celebration of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week 2009, sponsored by the Regional Council on Disability Affairs (RCDA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-Region III)

Filipinos with disabilities may now avail of discounted medicines and other health related services!

The Department of Health (DOH) recently issued Administrative Order No. 2009-0011 detailing the guidelines for the provision of medical and related discounts and special privileges to persons wtih disabilities pursuant to Republic Act No. 9442 , an act amending the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities (R.A. No. 7277).

Under the said Administrative Order, persons with disabilities are entitled to a 20% discount in the purchase of branded and unbranded generic medicines from all establishments dispensing medicines for the exclusive use of persons with disabilities; and 20% discount for the cost of medical, dental and rehabilitation services, diagnostic and laboratory fees in service wards and sections of government health facilities in accordance with Clinical Practice Guidelines or Hospital Treatment Protocols and in all private hospitals and medical facilities.

Other discounted services include psychological or developmental tests in service wards of government hospitals; and speech therapies or services in all private hospital and medical facilities.

In the same administrative order, persons with disabilities who are not yet non-paying PhilHealth members may become PhilHealth members if they are sponsored or enrolled by their respective Local government Unit (LGU) or voluntarily enroll themselves as individually paying members.

To avail of the discount, a person with disability must present his//her identification card issued by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) or by the Local Government Units (LGUs) where he/she resides. In addition, a purchase booklet issued by the LGUs to persons with disabilities for free shall be presented every time a purchase of medicine is made.

To all Filipino Persons with Disabilities (PWD), here is another good news! The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has approved the special five percent (5%) discounts of the regular retail price on all basic necessities and prime commodities.

Following the Republic Act 9442 otherwise known as Amended Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, the DTI together with the Department of Agriculture (DA) issued a joint Administrative Order 2, Issue 2008 granting special discounts to all PWDs.

As defined on the order, “basic necessities” refers to rice, corn, bread, fresh, dried and canned fish and other marine products, fresh pork, beef and poultry meat, fresh eggs, fresh and processed milk, infant formulas, fresh vegetables, root crops, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, salt, laundry soap, detergents, firewood, charcoal, candles and other commodities as may be classified by both the DTI and DA.

The discounts can be availed on any retail stores including supermarkets, groceries, convenience stores and sari-sari stores. In order to receive this discount, a PWD must present his/her:

1. PWD ID issued by their local governments;
2. Purchase Booklet (also issued by the local governments)

To know more about these privileges, kindly download the Administrative Order in PDF format here.

Leaders of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) together with some officials from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Agriculture (DA) dicussed in the DTI office in Makati City the special benefits and discounts for Persons with Disability.

The PWD sector led by Mr. Lauro Purcil and Mr. Manuel Agcaoili discussed the joint administrative order by the DTI and DA. This was on the Implementing Rules and Regulations on the Grant of Special Discounts to Persons with Disability on the Purchase of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities pursuant to Section 32 (j) of Republic Act 9442 also known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.

The joint administrative order which is still pending due to some expected revisions was based on the Senior Citizens Act. The primary objective of this is that every person with disability shall enjoy a special discount of five percent (5%) of the regular retail price of basic necessities and prime commodities.

In order for the PWDs to avail the said privileges, they must present their identification card (ID) issued by the local government unit where he/she resides. The problem with this is that not all local government units (LGU) especially those in the rural places were aware about the PWD’s Magna Carta. “The problem when it comes to the ID matter is that not all city or municipal governments issuing the said thing. Here only in the Metro Manila, only few cities were issuing ID cards for PWD: Makati City, Marikina City, Quezon City and the City of Manila.

Agcaoili also noticed that the discounts were only available in big time shopping malls and groceries and hardly found in public markets, talipapa (small markets) and sari-sari store (variety stores). “Most of the PWDs do not come from rich families. Majority of them belong to the less fortunate ones, so their appeal to the DTI to inform the owners of the sari-sari store they must also follow in accordance with the said Magna Carta.

The stores which give discounts to the senior citizens and the PWDs are given tax credits by the government via the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). However, the BIR does not give tax credits to the store owners and so they do not give any discounts anymore. “Discounts like this were benefits given by the government and should be imposed properly. The private sector only supports what the government really wants. Wag na po nating pahirapan ang may kapansanan, hirap na po sila” [Don’t let the person’s with disability to suffer more, they were already suffering at the moment], Mr. Agcaoili added.

Then DTI assures that the discounts can be availed nationwide by the PWDs. Some towns especially those in rural areas have not been properly informed yet. And this has resulted in confusion among sellers.