Senator Sonny Angara called for a more supportive and inclusive society for persons with disabilities (PWDs) by treating them with respect, dignity and compassion.
“It is time that we finally remove the stigma, prejudice and discrimination towards people with disabilities. Instead, we should treat them with the same love, concern and compassion that we want to be treated with. One concrete way of showing respect to PWDs is by obeying the various laws that aim to empower them,” said Angara.
“We should treat them with the same love, concern and compassion that we want to be treated with. One concrete way of showing respect to PWDs is by obeying the various laws that aim to empower them.”
The country recently celebrated National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week which aims to raise awareness on disability problems and encourage citizens to take active responsibility in addressing these issues.
The veteran lawmaker lamented that the country’s PWD laws are still “works in progress” with much still needed to be done starting with increasing public awareness on the Magna Carta of Disabled Persons.
“The country’s PWD laws are still works in progress and much needs to be done starting with increasing public awareness on the Magna Carta of Disabled Persons.”
Under Republic Act 9442 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, PWDs are entitled to a 20 percent discount in the purchase of medicines in all drugstores, medical and dental services including diagnostic and laboratory fees, and the professional fees of attending doctors.
It also grants a 20 percent discount in establishments like hotels and restaurants, admission fees in theaters and movie houses, and in transportation fare for domestic land, air and sea travel.
This law was authored by the late Senate President Edgardo Angara, who is also responsible for the senior citizen discount.
Such discount was expanded by the younger Angara by sponsoring RA 10754 in 2016 which granted a 12 percent value-added tax exemption to PWDs.
To avail of these benefits and privileges, a PWD must apply for a PWD ID at the city or municipal social welfare office.
However, a Philippine Institute for Development Studies 2010 survey showed that only about three out of 10 PWDs in the rural areas are aware of the Magna Carta. Because of low awareness, PWDs also have very low participation in discount privileges mainly because they do not have the PWD ID and because they are not able to go out.
“These laws were passed to give full support to the improvement of the total well-being of PWDs and their integration into the mainstream society. Dapat ay gawing mas madali ang proseso sa pagkuha ng ID upang mas marami sa ating mga kababayang may kapansanan ang makinabang sa mga benepisyong ito,” the veteran lawmaker said.
The Magna Carta also provides protection for PWDs against ridicule and vilification. It likewise prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, housing, education and access to public services.
Moreover, RA 10524 which mandates all government agencies and offices to reserve at least one percent of all positions for PWDs.
The Accessibility Law under Batas Pambansa 344, on the other hand, requires certain buildings, institutions and establishments and public utilities to install facilities and other devices that would enhance the mobility of PWDs.
“These laws must be strictly implemented in order to ensure that PWDs have the same opportunity to access and benefit certain services in a similar way as others. We should treat PWDs in a way that respects their dignity and independence,” the senator said.
