Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 810 
Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN 
AN ACT 
REORGANIZING THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY 
AFFAIRS INTO THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON DISABILITY AFFAIRS, 
DEFINING ITS POWER AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THERFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Differently abled persons are vital members of our nation, contributing 
significantly to society in their own unique ways. Despite the challenges they 
face in their daily lives, they strive to survive and contribute to the economy. 
Recognizing their valuable contributions, it is imperative for our country to 
provide them with all possible assistance to alleviate their burdens. 
In 1978, the first significant step towards assisting differently abled persons 
was taken with the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 1509, which 
established the National Commission Concerning Disabled Persons 
(NCCDP). As the needs of differently abled persons changed over time, the 
NCCDP underwent several transformations. On July 22, 1987, Executive 
Order No. 232 reorganized the NCCDP into the National Council for the 
Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP). Subsequently, on February 28, 2008, 
Executive Order No. 709 renamed the NCWDP as the National Council on 
Disability Affairs, placing it under the Office of the President. 
Over time, the needs and concerns of differently abled persons have 
continued to shift and expand. It is therefore timely to amend the current 
structure of the government agency responsible for developing policies and 
July 1, 2025
1:35 pm


coordinating services for differently abled persons to better address these 
ever-changing needs. 
To demonstrate our genuine concern for the welfare of differently abled 
persons, this bill seeks to reorganize the National Council on Disability 
Affairs into a National Commission on Disability Affairs. This proposal comes 
after consultations with my PWD constituents and aims to translate their 
voices into meaningful actions. Under the new structure, representatives 
from key government agencies crucial to the welfare of differently abled 
persons —including the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare 
and Development, Department of Education, Technical Education and Skills 
Development Authority, and Commission on Higher Education—will serve 
as members. This collaborative approach will enable the development of 
more effective and comprehensive solutions for the benefit of differently 
abled persons. 
With the establishment of this commission, we will enhance our outreach to 
differently abled persons and ensure better oversight of the Persons with 
Disability Affairs Office established by local government units. This initiative 
promises to improve data collection essential for servicing differently abled 
persons and facilitate the formulation of policies to enhance their quality of 
life. By taking these steps, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that 
differently abled persons have the opportunity to live fulfilling lives in our 
society. 
In light of the preceding, this bill’s approval is fervently sought. 
LORDAN G. SUAN 
Cagayan de Oro City – 1st District 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 810 
Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN 
AN ACT 
REORGANIZING THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY AFFAIRS 
INTO THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON DISABILITY AFFAIRS, 
DEFINING ITS POWER AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THERFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “National 
1 
Commission on Disability Affairs Act.” 
2 
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State recognizes that persons with 
4 
disabilities are part of Philippine society and are thus entitled to the same 
5 
rights as other people. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to support, 
6 
protect, and promote the rights of persons with disabilities. Towards this 
7 
end, the State shall establish a National Commission on Disability Affairs to 
8 
formulate policies and coordinate activities for persons with disabilities. 
9 
10 
SEC. 3. National Commission on Disability Affairs. – There is hereby 
11 
created a National Commission on Disability Affairs, hereinafter referred to 
12 
as the Commission. It shall be attached to the Office of the President. 
13 
14 
SEC. 4. Mandate. – The Commission shall be the national government 
15 
agency to formulate policies and coordinate activities of all agencies, 
16 
whether public or private, concerning disability issues and concerns. It shall 
17 
be the lead agency tasked to steer the course of program development for 
18 
persons with disabilities and the delivery of services to the sector.  
19 


 
 
 
1 
SEC. 5. Power and Functions. – The Commission shall exercise the 
2 
following powers and functions to carry out its mandate: 
3 
(a) Prepare and adopt an integrated and comprehensive long-term 
4 
National Rehabilitation Plan, which will ensure the formulation and 
5 
implementation of programs and projects to promote the 
6 
rehabilitation self-reliance, and development of persons with 
7 
disabilities; 
8 
 
9 
(b) 
Conduct consultative meetings and prepare symposia with all 
10 
stakeholders, and undertake program evaluation and monitoring to 
11 
ensure that comprehensive, relevant and timely programs and 
12 
services are adequate and accessible to persons with disabilities; 
13 
 
14 
(c) Identify and immediately address gaps in the implementation of 
15 
programs and laws benefitting persons with disabilities, especially 
16 
the Magna Carta for Disabled persons, as amended; 
17 
 
18 
(d) 
Formulate strategic interventions and provide an expeditious 
19 
response to address the immediate concerns of persons with 
20 
disabilities; 
21 
 
22 
(e) Propose new policies and new legislation, or amendments to existing 
23 
ones, that will ensure the attainment of its objectives; 
24 
 
25 
(f) Act as overall coordinating body to rationalize the functions and 
26 
activities 
of 
government 
agencies, 
private 
identities, 
and 
27 
international organizations operating in the Philippines, and the 
28 
enforcement of laws related to and affecting persons with 
29 
disabilities; 
30 
 
31 
(g) Establish, develop, and maintain a data bank on disabilities in 
32 
partnership with concerned government agencies and non-
33 
government organizations and strengthen the referral services to 
34 
ensure availability of data to stakeholders and services to persons 
35 
with disabilities including provision of assistive devices; 
36 
 
37 
(h) 
Act as a national consultative and advisory body to the President 
38 
on matters within its competence; 
39 
 
40 


 
 
(i) Facilitate the conduct of fund-raising activities and formulate 
1 
innovative schemes to ensure funding support for major activities for 
2 
the sector; 
3 
 
4 
(j) Educate and reorient the general public in its attitude and thinking 
5 
with regards to persons with disabilities; 
6 
 
7 
(k) 
Submit quarterly reports to the Congress. 
8 
 
9 
SEC. 6. Composition. – The Commission shall be composed of the 
10 
following members: 
11 
 
12 
(a) A Chairperson who shall be appointed by the President; 
13 
 
14 
(b) 
The Secretaries of the following Departments who shall sit in the 
15 
Commission as ex-officio members: Department of Health (DOH), 
16 
Department 
of 
Social 
Welfare 
and 
Development 
(DSWD), 
17 
Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills 
18 
Development Authority (TESDA), and Commission on Higher 
19 
Education (CHED) 
20 
 
21 
The Secretaries mentioned are authorized to designate an 
22 
Undersecretary to represent them. 
23 
 
24 
(c) Private sector representatives selected from the following sectors: 
25 
(1) Learning Disabilities; 
26 
(2) Intellectual Disabilities; 
27 
(3) Hearing Impairment; 
28 
(4) Visual Impairment; 
29 
(5) Physical and Mobility Impairments; 
30 
(6) Emotional / Behavioral Disorder; 
31 
(7) Multi-Handicaps; 
32 
(8) Pervasive Development Disorders. 
33 
 
34 
The incumbent members of the Commission, however, shall continue in 
35 
office unless replaced or removed from office by the President. 
36 
 
37 
SEC. 7. Chairperson. – The Chairperson who shall be appointed by the 
38 
President, shall have the following duties and responsibilities: 
39 
(a) Call and preside over the meetings of the Commission; 
40 
(b) 
Manage and administer the affairs of the Commission; 
41 


 
 
(c) Monitor the implementation of policies approved by the 
1 
Commission; 
2 
(d) 
Sign communications for the Commission and represent the 
3 
Commission whenever necessary; 
4 
(e) Solicit and accept, on behalf of the Commission, gifts, grants, or 
5 
donations in accordance with government rules, regulations and 
6 
policies; 
7 
(f) Execute contracts in the pursuit of the Commission’s objectives as 
8 
may be authorized by the Commission, in accordance with 
9 
government rules and regulations; and 
10 
(g) Organize permanent or ad-hoc committees, consisting of members 
11 
of the Commission or such other experts as are deemed necessary 
12 
for the discharge of the functions and objectives of the Commission. 
13 
 
14 
SEC. 8. Executive Director. – The Chairperson shall be assisted by an 
15 
Executive Director, who shall be appointed by the Chairperson. The 
16 
Executive Director shall have the following duties and responsibilities: 
17 
(a) Administer the affairs of the Commission; 
18 
(b) 
Implement policies, plans, and programs approved by the 
19 
Commission; 
20 
(c) Exercise direct supervision and control over all the organizational 
21 
units placed under his/her jurisdiction including recommending to 
22 
the Chairperson the appointment of personnel of the Commission 
23 
and disciplinary actions as may be necessary for the effective 
24 
management of the Commission; 
25 
(d) 
Represent the Commission in administrative and legislative 
26 
bodies and in conferences and seminars that require participation 
27 
of the Commission; 
28 
(e) Prepare and submit to the Commission the annual report on the 
29 
operations of the Commission and such other reports as may be 
30 
required by the Commission; and 
31 
(f) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law. 
32 
 
33 
SEC. 9. Deputy Executive Directors. – The Executive Director shall 
34 
be assisted by two Deputies: a Deputy Executive Director for 
35 
Administration and a Deputy Executive for Operations. The Deputy 
36 
Executive Directors shall be appointed by the Chairperson. 
37 
 
38 
SEC.10. QUALIFICATIONS. – No person shall be appointed 
39 
Chairperson, Executive Director, or Executive Director of the 
40 
Commission unless he or she is a citizen and resident of the 
41 
Philippines, of good moral character, of proven integrity, and with 
42 


 
 
at least seven (7) years of competence and expertise in delivering 
1 
service to persons with disabilities. 
2 
 
3 
SEC. 11. Regional Directors. – The Commission shall have one 
4 
Regional 
5 
Director for every region who shall supervise the official activities of all 
6 
provinces, cities, and municipalities under the jurisdiction of the 
7 
concerned region. He/she shall be the primary coordinating and 
8 
overseeing authority over the Person with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) 
9 
established by local government units (LGUs). The Regional Director may 
10 
be assisted by one (1) Assistant Regional Director. The Regional Director 
11 
shall have, with their respective administrative regions, the following 
12 
functions: 
13 
(a) Implement laws, policies, plans, programs, projects, rules, and 
14 
regulations of the Commission; 
15 
(b) Provide efficient and effective service to the people; 
16 
(c) Coordinate with regional offices of other departments, offices, 
17 
and agencies; 
18 
(d) Coordinate with the LGUs and their PDAOs; and 
19 
(e) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or 
20 
assigned by the Chairperson. 
21 
 
22 
SEC. 12. Sectoral and Industry Task Forces. – The Commission 
23 
mat create the sectoral and industry task forces, technical working groups, 
24 
advisory bodies, or committees for the furtherance of its objectives. 
25 
Additional private sector representatives, such as from the academe, civil 
26 
society organizations, and federation of private industries directly 
27 
involved with persons with disabilities, as well as representatives of other 
28 
LGUs and government-owned-and-controlled-corporations (GOCCs) may 
29 
be appointed to these working groups. Government disability affairs 
30 
professionals may be tapped to partake in the work of the Commission 
31 
through these working groups. 
32 
 
33 
SEC. 13. Structure and Staffing Pattern. – Subject to the approval 
34 
of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Commission 
35 
shall determine it organizational structure and create new divisions or 
36 
units as it may deem necessary, and shall appoint officers and employees 
37 
of the Commission in accordance with the civil service law, rules, and 
38 
regulations. 
39 
 
40 
SEC. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty 
41 
(60) days from the effectivity of this Act, The National Council on 
42 


 
 
Disability Affairs (NCDA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM) 
1 
and other relevant government agencies, shall promulgate the necessary 
2 
rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
3 
 
4 
SEC. 15. Appropriations. – The fund needed to initially 
5 
implement this Act shall be included in the current fiscal year’s 
6 
appropriation of National Council on Disability Affairs. Thereafter, the 
7 
amount needed for the operation and maintenance of the Commission 
8 
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. 
9 
 
10 
SEC. 16. Separability Clause. – Should any provision here in be 
11 
declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the 
12 
other provisions of this Act. 
13 
 
14 
SEC. 17. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and 
15 
regulations or other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions 
16 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
17 
 
18 
SEC. 18. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
19 
after its publication in the Official Gazette of in any two (2) newspapers 
20 
of general circulation in the Philippines 
21 
 
22 
       Approved, 
23