NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 601
III
of tlje %>
*22 JUL14 PI 52
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
REORGANIZING THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY AFFAIRS INTO 
THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON DISABILITY AFFAIRS, DEFINING ITS 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Created in 1981, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) is the lead 
government agency tasked with program development for persons with disabilities 
(PWDs), and the delivery of services to the sector. As defined under the Republic Act 
No. 7277, or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, PWDs are "those suffering from 
restriction of different abilities, as a result of a mental, physical or sensory impairment, 
to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human 
being."
Based on the 2010 Census of Population and Housing, 1.443 million Filipinos or 
1.57% of the household population of 92.1 million have a disability. It goes on to show 
that for every five PWDs, one or 18.9% was aged 0 to 14 years, three or 59% were 
aged 15 to 64 years, and one or 22.1% was aged 65 years and over.
This bill seeks to reorganize the National Council on Disability Affairs into a National 
Commission on Disability Affairs and institutionalize the agency's mandate of addressing 
the needs and concerns of our PWDs. Under the bill, representatives from other national 
government agencies such as the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare 
and Development, Department of Education, Technical Education and Skills 
Development Authority and Commission on Higher Education shall sit as members of 
the Commission, together with representatives from the private sector. The Commission 
shall also have Regional Director for every region who shall oversee and supervise


activities of the Persons with Disability Affairs Office established by the LGUs. This is 
envisioned to better equip the Commission in data collection, needs Identification and 
policy formulation for the benefit of the PWDs from all over the country. With the proper 
support and assistance, we believe that they can be integrated and empowered to be 
productive citizens of this nation.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
UEL F. ZUBIRI


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 601
Senate
0( tiji’
‘22 JUL 14 PI 52
RECEIVED BV;
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
REORGANIZING THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY AFFAIRS INTO 
THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON DISABILITY AFFAIRS, DEFINING ITS 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 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 theNational Commission 
on Disability Affairs Act"
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes that persons with 
disabilities are part of Philippine society and are thus entitled to the same rights as other 
people. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to support, protect, and promote the 
rights of persons with disabilities. Towards this end, the State shall establish a National 
Commission on Disability Affairs to formulate policies and coordinate activities for persons 
with disabilities.
SEC. 3. National Commission on Disability Affairs. - There is hereby created 
a National Commission on Disability Affairs, hereinafter referred to as the Commission. It 
shall be attached to the Office of the President.
SEC. 4. Mandate. - The Commission shall be the national government agency to 
formulate policies and coordinate activities of all agencies, whether public or private, 
concerning disability issues and concerns. It shall be the lead agency tasked to steer the 
course of program development for persons with disabilities and the delivery of services 
to the sector.


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SEC. 5. Powers and Functions. - The Commission shall exercise the following 
powers and functions to carry out its mandate:
(a) Prepare and adopt an integrated and comprehensive long-term National 
Rehabilitation Plan, which will ensure the formulation and implementation of 
programs and projects to promote the rehabilitation self-reliance, and 
development of persons with disabilities;
(b) Conduct consultative meetings and prepare symposia with all stakeholders, and 
undertake program evaluation and monitoring to ensure that comprehensive, 
relevant and timely programs and services are adequate and accessible to persons 
with disabilities;
(c) Identify and immediately address gaps in the implementation of programs and 
laws benefitting persons with disabilities, especially the Magna Carta for Disabled 
Persons, as amended;
(d) Formulate strategic interventions and provide an expeditious response to address 
the immediate concerns of persons with disabilities;
(e) Propose new policies and new legislation, or amendments to existing ones, that 
will ensure the attainment of its objectives;
(f) Act as overall coordinating body to rationalize the functions and activities of 
government agencies, private entities, and international organizations operating in 
the Philippines, and the enforcement of laws related to and affecting persons with 
disabilities;
(g) Establish, develop, and maintain a data bank on disabilities in partnership with 
concerned government agencies and non-government organizations and 
strengthen the referral services to ensure availability of data to stakeholders and 
services to persons with disabilities including provision of assistive devices;
(h) Act as a national consultative and advisory body to the President on matters within 
its competence;


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(i) Facilitate the conduct of fund-raising activities and formulate innovative schemes 
to ensure funding support for major activities for the sector;
0) Educate and reorient the general public in its attitude and thinking with regards to 
persons with disabilities;
(k) Submit quarterly reports to the Congress.
SEC. 6. Composition. - The Commission shall be composed of the following 
members:
(a) A Chairperson who shall be appointed by the President;
(b) The Secretaries of the following Departments who shall sit in the Commission as 
ex-officio members: Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare 
and Development (DSWD)r Department of Education (DepEd), Technical 
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED).
The Secretaries mentioned are authorized to designate an Undersecretary to 
represent them.
(c) Private sector representatives selected from the following sectors:
(1) Learning Disabilities;
(2) Intellectual Disabilities;
(3) Developmental Disabilities;
(4) Hearing Impairment;
(5) Visual Impairment;
(6) Physical and Mobility Impairments;
(7) Emotional/Behavioral Disorders;


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(8) Multi-handicaps;
(9) Pervasive Developnnentai Disorders.
The incumbent members of the Commission, however, shall continue in office 
unless replaced or removed from office by the President.
SEC. 7. Chairperson. - The Chairperson who shall be appointed by the President, 
shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(a) Call and preside over the meetings of the Commission;
(b) Manage and administer the affairs of the Commission;
(c) Monitor the implementation of policies approved by the Commission;
(d) Sign communications for the Commission and represent the Commission 
whenever necessary;
(e) Solicit and accept, on behalf of the Commission, gifts, grants, or donations in 
accordance with government rules, regulations and policies;
(f) Execute contracts in the pursuit of the Commission's objectives as may be 
authorized by the Commission, in accordance with government rules and 
regulations; and
(g) Organize permanent or ad-hoc committees, consisting of members of the 
Commission or such other experts as are deemed necessary for the discharge of 
the functions and objectives of the Commission.
SEC. 8. Executive Director. - The Chairperson shall be assisted by an Executive 
Director, who shall be appointed by the Chairperson. The Executive Director shall have 
the following duties and responsibilities:
(a) Administer the affairs of the Commission;
(b) Implement policies, plans, and programs approved by the Commission;


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(c) Exercise direct supervision and control over all the organizational units placed 
under his/her jurisdiction including recommending to the Chairperson the 
appointment of personnel of the Commission and disciplinary actions as may be 
necessary for the effective management of the Commission;
(d) Represent the Commission in administrative and legislative bodies and in 
conferences and seminars that require the participation of the Commission;
(e) Prepare and submit to the Commission the annual report on the operations of the 
Commission and such other reports as may be required by the Commission; and
(f) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.
SEC. 9. Deputy Executive Directors, - The Executive Director shall be assisted 
by two Deputies: a Deputy Executive Director for Administration and a Deputy Executive 
Director for Operations. The Deputy Executive Directors shall be appointed by the 
Chairperson.
SEC. 10. Quaiifications, - No person shall be appointed Chairperson, Executive 
Director, or Deputy Executive Director of the Commission unless he or she is a citizen and 
resident of the Philippines, of good moral character, of proven integrity, and with at least 
seven (7) years of competence and expertise in delivering service to persons with 
disabilities.
SEC. 11. Regional Directors, - The Commission shall have one Regional 
Director for every region who shall supervise the official activities of all provinces, cities, 
and municipalities under the jurisdiction of the concerned region. He/she shall be the 
primary coordinating and overseeing authority over the Persons with Disability Affairs 
Office (PDAO) established by local government units (LCDs). The Regional Director may 
be assisted by one (1) Assistant Regional Director. The Regional Director shall have, 
within their respective administrative regions, the following functions:
(a) Implement laws, policies, plans, programs, projects, rules, and regulations of the 
Commission;


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(b) Provide efficient and effective service to the people;
(c) Coordinate with regional offices of other departments, offices, and agencies;
(d) Coordinate with the LGUs and their PDAOs; and
(e) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the
Chairperson.
SEC. 12. Sectoral and Industry Task Forces. - The Commission may create 
sectoral and industry task forces, technical working groups, advisory bodies, or 
committees for the furtherance of its objectives. Additional private sector representatives, 
such as from the academe, civil society organizations, and federation of private industries 
directly involved with persons with disabilities, as well as representatives of other LGUs 
and government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) may be appointed to these 
working groups. Government disability affairs professionals may also be tapped to partake 
in the work of the Commission through these working groups.
SEC. 13. Structure and Staffing Pattern. - Subject to the approval of the 
Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Commission shall determine its 
organizational structure and create new divisions or units as it may deem necessary, and 
shall appoint officers and employees of the Commission in accordance with the civil 
service law, rules, and regulations.
SEC. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), Department 
of Budget and Management (DBM) and other relevant government agencies, shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this 
Act.
SEC. 15. Appropriations. - The funds needed to initially implement this Act shall 
be included in the current fiscal year's appropriation of the National Council on Disability 
Affairs. Thereafter, the amount needed for the operation and maintenance of the 
Commission shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.


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SEC. 16. Separability Clause. - Should any provision herein be declared 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this Act.
SEC. 17. 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. 18. 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,