FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 13 Article XI11 of the Constitution recognizes the significance of persons 
with disabilities in Philippine society. It provides the mandate for the establishment of a 
special agency for their rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance, and 
integration into the mainstream of society. 
Persons with disabilities are a country's important endowments. Their rights and 
privileges must be protected and equal opportunities must be afforded to them to 
develop their abilities in all fields of human endeavor. Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise 
known as "An Act Providing For The Rehabilitation, Self-Development And Self-Reliance Of 
Disabled Persons And Their Integration Into The Mainstream Of Society And For Other 
Purposes", was enacted to ensure that they are provided access to employment 
opportunities, quality education, health and social services, among others, for them to 
attain their fullest potential and become active participants in nation building. 
This bill seeks to further improve the welfare of persons with disabilities through 
the creation of a Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office in every province, city and 
municipality to ensure that they are adequately supported and protected. 
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AFFAIRS OFFICE IN 
EVERY PROVINCE, CITY AND MUNICIPALITY, AMENDING SECTION 40 
OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE REHABILITATION, SELF-DEVELOPMENT AND 
SELF-RELIANCE OF DISABLED PERSONS AND THEIR INTEGRATION 
INTO THE MAINSTREAM OF SOCIETY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES" 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 40 of Republic Act No. 7277 is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
"SECTION 40. Role ofNational Agencies and Local Government Units. - 
(A) Local government units shall promote the establishment of 
organizations 
of 
[disabled 
persons] 
PERSONS 
WITH 
DISABILITIES (PWDs) in their respective territorial jurisdictions. 
National agencies and local government units may enter into joint 
ventures with organizations or associations of [disabled persons] 
PWDs to explore livelihood opportunities and other undertakings 
that shall enhancethe health, physical fitness and economic social 
well-being of [disabled persons] PWDs. 
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(B) 
IT 
SHALL 
BE 
THE 
RESPONSIBILITY 
OF 
LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT UNITS TO ENSURE THAT THE AGENCIES 
CONCERNED SHALL EXTEND THE SERVICES PROVIDED IN 
THIS ACT TO PWDs BY CREATING THE PERSONS WITH 
DISABILITIES 
AFFAIRS 
OFFICE 
(PDAO) 
IN 
EVERY 
PROVINCE, CITY AND MUNICIPALITY." 
SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, and rules and regulations inconsistent with. the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or ,modified accordingly. 
SEC. 
3. 
Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect (15) days after its 
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation or the Official Gazette, 
whichever comes first. 
Approved, 
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