JPRESS
| Republic of the Philippines Te Gee $y

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
| Quezon City, Metro Manila

{
NINETEENTH CONGRESS ‘
First Regular Session

3163

House Bill No.

Introduced by HON. JOSEPHINE VERONIQUE “Jaye” R. LACSON - NOEL
HON. FLORENCIO GABRIEL G. NOEL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

At present, our country does not provide adequate transportation facilities and

infrastructures to our countrymen with special physical needs. And to make matters worse is the

absence of holistic hospice care and other medical care or treatments.

| The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities states that Persons
With Disabilities (PWDs) include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or
sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective
participation in society on an equal basis with others!, According to the World Health
Organization (WHO) statistics, 15% of the world’s population have some form of disability and
about 80% of the world’s PWDS live in low-income countries, wherein majority are poor and
cannot access basic services. Not only that, but affordability of health services and poor
transportation facilities are the two main reasons why people with disabilities around the world
feel that they are taken for granted. 51-53% of people with disabilities globally are unable to

afford health care’

| According to the results of the 2010 National Population and Housing Census, it
showed that out of the 92,100,000 Filipinos, 1,443,000 or 1.57% are disabled, and out of the
1,443,000 PWDs, 59.0% or 851,000 are within the working age group of 15-64 years old*.

In order to provide assistance to the growing number of indigent PWDs in the

country, in 1992, the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons was entered into force which made the

Philippines 4 pioneer in advocating the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)

2 Disability and Health - https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/disability-and-health

1 Persons with fc ~ https://www.doh,gov.ph/persons-with-isabilities
bility -https:/fpso.gov.ph/tags/persons-disability

Persons with



However, there is still yet an institution easily accessible to all Filipino PWDs
Which focuses on the full rehabilitation, self-development, self-reliance, and their integration into
mainstream society without any discrimination, as pronounced by the 1987 Constitution

| In 2006, the Philippines expressed its intention to further promote the welfare of
Persons with Disabilities internationally by being a signatory to the United Nations Convention
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as to the [LO Convention No. 159, otherwise
known as “Convention on Vocational Rehabilitation of Persons with Disability” which aims at
ensuring that appropriate vocational rehabilitation measures are made available to all categories
of disabled persons and at promoting employment opportunities for disabled persons in the open
labor market

Further, in order to discharge its mandate to promote the rehabilitation of Persons
\with Disabilities (PWDs) as embodied in the 1987 Constitution, specifically Article XIII, Sec. 13,
Which states that: “the State shall establish a special agency for the disabled person for their
rehabilitation, self-development, and self-reliance, and their integration into the mainstream
society”. Congress since has taken measures in order to promote and protect the welfare of
persons with disabilities. These measures are: (1) RA No. 7277 or the “Magna Carta for Disabled
Persons”, (2) RA No. 9442 also known as “An Act Amending RA No. 7277", and (3) RA No.
10754, also) known as “An Act Expanding The Benefits And Privileges Of Persons With
Disabilities", The National Council for Disabled Affairs (NCDA) was also created to ensure the
formulation bf policies and to coordinate the activities of all agencies concerning matters relating
to disabilities
| Unfortunately, these laws did not fully cover the true need that our differently
abled brethren require,

|
It is the earnest desire of this bill to promote holistic hospice care to PWDs
through the ¢stablishment of rehabilitation and physiotherapy centers in every province, city, and
other strategic locations throughout the country, These proposed Rehabilitation and
Physiotherapy Centers, together with concerned agencies, would enable the government to
conduct physical or mental therapy to PWDs which would help them to be more at par with our
capable brethren in terms of sports, academics and employment. Thus, this bill would enable
Persons with Disabilities to become more independent and productive members of our society

|
IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, immediate passage of this

is earnestly sought.
+

JOSEPHINE VERONIQUE “Jaye” R. LACSON - NO!
Lone District, Malabon City

FLORENCIO GABRIEL G. NOEL.
An Waray Party-list

4 ILO Vocaviona) Rehabiliation and Employment (Disabled) Convention (No. 159) ancl Recommendation (No. 168). (2008)
SWatienal Couneil for Disability Affairs hurps:° www neda.gox ph about



Introduced by HON, JOSEPHINE VERONIQU!

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3163

House Bill No.

“Jaye” R. LACSON - NOEL
HON. FLORENCIO GABRIEL G. NOEL

t
|
|

AN ACT

INSTITUTIONALIZING A NATIONAL REHABILITATION AND PHYSIOTHERAPY

CENTERS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (NRPCPWD) THROUGH THE

ESTABLI

JHMENT OF ACCESSIBLE PWD REHABILITATION CENTERS IN EVERY
| PROVINCE, CITY, AND OTHER STRATEGIC AREAS
| THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

|
assembled: |

Rehabilitatia

providing a
Carta for Di

However, these laws focus

therefore ints
the 1987 Cor

(PWDs) be
the governm|

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “National
In and Physiotherapy Center for PWDs Act of 2022”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — The state recognizes the importance of
-omfortable life to all Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). The passage of the Magna
abled Persons and its subsequent amendments have done well to achieve this end.

mainly on socioeconomic privileges for PWDs. The state shall
nsify its efforts to fulfill its duty to provide quality life to all PWDs as mandated by

stitution
‘Toward this end, the state shall exert efforts to enable Persons with Disabilities
me more confident, independent and self-reliant through the active participation of

‘nt in their rehabilitation and possible integration to mainstream society.


SECTION 3. Definition of Terms, — As used in this Act, the terms shall be

defined as fdllows:

|
al Rehabilitation Centers - refers to institutions owned and operated by the

government of the Philippines, specifically the DOH, which offers various
therapies to help a person restore function after illness or injury. These therapies
| can include: (1) Physical therapy, (2) Occupational therapy, (3) Speech therapy®.

cured or improved, depending on the pre-rehabilitation examination conducted by
the physician of the Department of Health or other partnered health institutions

5 Qualified PWDs - refers to Persons with Disabilities whose disability may be
|
|
|

tasked to conduct such examination

Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Program ~ refers to the program of the
National Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Center that addresses the physical,
sensory and mental disabilities of qualified PWDs through various rehabilitation
treatments and physiotherapy conducted by Department of Health (DOH)
physicians and other partnered medical institutions.

SECTION 4. Establishment of National Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy

Center for Persons with Disabilities (NRPCPWD). ~ There is hereby established in all capital

cities of pr
National Rel
herein refern
cooperation
(DOH).

wvinces, highly urbanized cities, and other strategic areas throughout the country
abilitation and Physiotherapy Centers for Persons with Disabilities (NRPCPWD)
ed to as “NRPCPWD”, which shall be community-based and maintained through the
f their respective Local Government Units (LGUs) and the Department of Health

The Department of Health (DOH) shall accredit each of the rehabilitation and

physiotherapy centers in order to maintain quality medical services.

Department
maintained

supervise th

6 What is a rehak

| Medical employees shall be maintained by the Regional Offices of the
lof Health (DOH) while non-medical employees of each institution shall be
the respective Local Government Units (LGUs).

|
| Inline with its mandate, the Persons with Disabilities A fairs Office (PDAO) shall
¢ NRPCPWD centers to:

) Receive applications for the Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Program of the

| RPCPWD.
|

ilitation center? - hips: ‘www.naric.com 4. en:content what-rehabilitation-center



(2) Assist PWDs on matters such as

a
b

Location of the nearest NRPCPWD;

Informing the PWD of the documentary requirements needed for the
Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Program;

If the documentary requirements are unavailable to the PWD, assist in
securing such documents and;

Other necessary assistance as would help the PWD in successfully

applying for the Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Program.

SECTION 5. Objectives of NRPCPWD, - The Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy
Center for Fersons with Disabilities shall ensure that qualified PWDs shall be given quality

treatment, taining, and assistance as regards their personal disabilities.

More specifically, the NRPCPWD shall

a.

e.

Provide qualified PWDs to receive quality rehabilitation, physiotherapy
and treatment from their physical, mental, or sensory disabilities

Conduct physical, mental, or sensory examination by qualified medical
practitioners from the Department of Health (DOH) on whether their
respective disabilities are curable or treatable through extensive

rehabilitation and other necessary treatments available to the NRCPWD.

If the NRCPWD is unable to provide the necessary treatment, assist the
PWD in searching for an institution that could provide such treatment.

Provide data reporting to PDAO of the PWD information, and

Other matters relating to the rehabilitation, self-development, and sclf-

reliance, and the integration into the mainstream society of PWDs.

SECTION 6. Functions of NRPCPWD, — the NRPCPWD shall have the

following functions:

a.
b.

De
Establish a computerized record of qualified PWDs in a single registry
and submit the said record to the Department of Health (DOH). The
record shall contain the following:

1. Name of the qualified PWD;

et free quality rehabilitation and treatment to PWDs.


Specific disability;
‘Treatment required:

Duration of the treatment, and;

NRPCPWD where the qualified PWDs are receiving or received

wren

treatment.

c. Look for the best possible physician, whether from the Department of
Health (DOH), private companies, or partner medical institutions, that
could provide for the specific treatment needed.

d. If, after the successful treatment, the disability recurs, the NRPCPWD
shall again conduct an examination on whether the recurrence of the said
disability is treatable or curable. If it is found to be curable, then the
NRPCPWD shall again provide for the necessary treatment, If it is found
curable but the NRPCPWD is unable to provide for the proper treatment,
or if it is found incurable, then the NRPCPWD shall assist the PWD in

| searching for an institution that could provide for the necessary treatment

| SECTION 7. Other services of the NRPCPWD. ~ in addition to the functions
enumerated jin the preceding section, every NRPCPWD shall also undertake the following
programs:

| 1. Muling Pagbangon Program ~ These would allow PWDs from rural
| areas to receive free medical check-up on their respective disabilities and
whether they are qualified to receive the treatment from the NRPCPWD

Ii, PWD Annual Statistics Report — In cooperation with the Department
of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA),
NRPCPWDs shall conduct every year an inquiry on the number of
PWDs in their specific areas, along with their respective disabilities.
These statistics shail then be compiled and submitted to the Department
of Health (DOH) and to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

SECTION 8. Role of Local Government Units (LGUs) and the Department of
Health (DOH) — Upon request of the LGUs which do not have existing NRPCPWDs, the
establishment, operation, and maintenance of NRPCPWDs shall be undertaken by the
Department of Health (DOH). The Department of Health (DOH) shall enter into Memoranda of
Agreements (MOAs) with the concerned LGUs for the establishment in their respective areas.



It shall be the responsibility of the Department of Health (DOH) to
a. Provide for necessary equipment and supplies, as well as the necessary

physicians and assistants of the physician if needed

b. Conduct the necessary training, briefing, and assessment of physicians
assigned in NRPCPWDs

©. Undertake, monitor, assess, and evaluate the implementation of the
NRPCPWD program

4. Compile the statistics on PWDs and their respective disabilities and

release an annual report on the number of PWDs in the Philippines and

the leading disabilities of Filipinos.

It shall be the responsibility of the respective Local Government Units (LGUs) to:

a. Construction of an adequate facility wherein qualified PWDs shall
conduct their respective treatments and rehabilitation in their respective
NRPCPWDs.

|b. Ensure that the construction of the said facility shall be on a Department
of Health (DOH) quality level

c. Provide funds for the construction of the said facility
Responsible for the maintenance of the NRPCPWD facility in their
respective jurisdictions

|
| SECTION 9. Administration of the NRPCPWD program — The administration

of the NRCHWD program shall be the responsibility of the Department of Health (DOH) through
its regional offices. The Secretary of Health shall, in consultation with proper NGOs concerned
and leading physicians in the country, accordingly promulgate, within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this
program.
|
SECTION 10. Facilities of RPCs the National Rehabilitation and
Physiotherapy Centers shall have the following facilities:

a. Clinies

b. Pool

¢. Rehabilitation rooms

d. Gym

e. Offices for Phy

ians and Nurses



|
|
| SECTION 11. Appropriations. ~ The construction of a quality rehabilitation and
physiotherapy center shall cost approximately P25,000 to P35,000 per square meter or

724,000,000 or P35,000,000 per center.

|

The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this program shall be

charged against the existing appropriations of the Department of Health (DOH). Thereafter, the
amounts negded for the full implementation of this Act shall be included in the budget of the
Department of Health (DOH) inthe succeeding annual General Appropriations Act,

|
SECTION 12. Separability Clause. - if any provision of this act is subsequently
declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby, shall
remain in full force and effect.
|
SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive
orders, issudnces, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are
contrary to and inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or

modified ac¢ordingly,
|
SECTION 14. Effectivity. - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication either in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general

circulation.

Approved,