EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
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'19 
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S E N A T E
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
INCREASING THE POSITIONS RESERVED FOR PERSONS WITH 
DISABILITIES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
7277, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MAGNA CARTA FOR
DISABLED PERSONS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Although there has been progress in integrating our PWDs into society, 
more can still be done to further ensure that they are afforded the same 
opportunities as those given to other able-bodied individuals. A 2013 Philippine 
Institute of Development Studies report showed that 50% of PWDs who live in 
an urban setting are unemployed, with the percentage going much higher for 
those living in rural settings. The same report also showed that 45.9% of PWDs 
in an urban setting and 61.9% of PWDs in a rural setting are living below 
poverty line. 1
The Philippines still has a long way to go in making the entire country 
inclusive to all. This bill seeks to bring us closer to this goal by increasing the 
positions reserved for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in all government 
agencies, offices and corporations from one percent to two percent, and 
mandating private corporations to employ a workforce, at least one percent of 
which is from the same sector.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI
1 https://www.rappIer.com/move-ph/126332-elections-pwd-phiIippines-platforms


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
tf "ii f ’ •
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No.
'19 JUL 16 All 48
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
INCREASING THE POSITIONS RESERVED FOR PERSONS W ITH DISABILITIES, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277, AS AMENDED, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MAGNA CARTA FOR DISABLED PERSONS
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Equal Opportunity fo r Employment. -  Section 5 of Republic Act 
No. 7277, as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 5. Equal Opportunity for Employment -  No person with disability 
shall be denied access to opportunities for suitable employment. A qualified 
employee with disability shall be subject to the same terms and conditions of 
employment and the same compensation, privileges, benefits, fringe benefits, 
incentives 
or 
allowances 
as 
a 
qualified 
able-bodied 
person.
At least [one percent (1%)] TWO PERCENT (2 % ) of all positions in all 
government agencies, offices or corporations shall be reserved for persons 
with disability: Provided, That private corporations [with more than one 
hundred (100) employees are encouraged to] SHALL reserve at least one 
percent (1%) of all positions for persons with disability."
SEC. 2. Im plem enting Rules and Regulations. -  Within sixty (60) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), in 
coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Civil Service 
Commission (CSC), the Governance Commission for Government-Owned or Controlled 
Corporations (GCG), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Social Welfare


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and Development (DSWD), and other relevant government agencies, shall promulgate 
the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
SEC. 3. Appropriations. -  The funds needed to implement this Act shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 4. Separability Clause. -  Should any provision herein be declared 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this Act.
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or 
other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed 
or modified accordingly.
SEC. 6. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation in 
the Philippines.
Approved,