FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES _—)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No, 8041

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The State acts as “Parens Patriae” to the marginalized, needy and
disadvantaged sectors of society. Person with Disabilities (PWDs) require the
assistance of the assistance of the State to enhance their welfare and secure
their needs.

It is therefore necessary that an institutional mechanism be established
to ensure the implementation of programs and service for PWDs in every local
government unit.

It is respectfully requested that this bill be approved speedily.
.

RUFYS B. Ri IGUEZ

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and

Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No, 3041

AN ACT

ESTABLISHING AN INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM TO ENSURE THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR PERSONS
WITH DISABILITIES IN EVERY PROVINCE, CITY AND MUNICIPALITY,
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“MAGNA CARTA FOR DISABLED PERSONS”, AS AMENDED, AND FOR

OTHER PURPOSES.

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

Sec.1. Section 40 of Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, is hereby further
amended to read as follows:

“Section 40. Role of National Agencies and Local Government

Units —

(A)

(B)

Local government units shall promote the
establishment 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 enhance the health,
physical fitness and the economic and social well-
being of {disabled persons] PWDs.

Local government units shall organize and
establish the following:

(1) Persons with disability affairs office
(PDAO)

A persons with disability affairs office
(PDAO) shall be created in every province, City


and Municipality. The Local Chief Executive
shall appoint a PWD Affairs officer who shall
manage and oversee the operations of the
office, pursuant to its mandate under this Act.
Priority shall be given to qualified PWDs to
head and man the said office in carrying out
the following functions:

(a) Formulate and
implement polices, plans and programs
for the promotion of the welfare of PWDs
in coordination with concerned national
and local government agenecies;

(b) Coordinate the
implementation of the provisions of this
act, Batas Pambansa Blg. 334, Otherwise
known as the accessibility law, and other
relevant laws at the local level;

() Represent PWDs in
meeting of local development councils
and other special bodies;

(a) Recommend and
enjoin the participation of NGOs and Pos
in the implementation of all disability-
related laws and policies;

(e) Gather and compile
relevant data on PWDs in their localities;

0) Disseminate
information including, but not limited to
Programs and activities for PWDs,
Statistics on PWDs, including children
with disability, and training and
employment opportunities PWDs.

(9) Submit reports to the
Office of the Local Chief Executive on
the implementation of programs and
service for the promotion of the welfare
of PWDs in their respective areas of
jurisdiction;

(h) Ensure that the
policies, plans and programs for the
promotion of the welfare of PWDs are
local government;


@ Monitor fundraising
activities being conducted for the
benefits of PWDs;

@ Seek donations in
cash or in kind from local or foreign
donors to implement an approved
workplan for PWDs, in accordance with
existing laws and regulations; and

(kK) Perform such other
functions as may be necessary for the
promotion and protection of the welfare
of the PWDs.

(2) Focal Person

In consideration of _ budget
restraints, local chief executives of
fourth, ‘fifth and sixth class.
municipalities, amy in lieu of the creation
of a PDAO, designate a focal person,
who shall perform the functions of the
PDAO priority in appointment should be
given to a PWD with experience in
providing service to PWDs.

The establishment of a PDAO or
the appointment of a focal person, as the
case may be, should be done in
consultation and coordination with the
National Council on Disability Affairs
(NCDA), non-government organizations
(NGOs) and People’s Organizations
(Pos).

Sec.2. Reference to the term “Disabled Persons” on the Title and other
section of the same Act are hereby amended to need as “Persons with
Disabilities (PWDs)”

Sec.3. Within three years after the effectivity of the Act, appropriate agencies,
headed by the DSWD, in consultation with the NCDA and relevant NGOs and
Pos, shall review its implementation and recommend to Congress the need to
Mandate the establishment of a PDOA in 4” and 6” class municipalities.

Sec.4. In order to effectively carry out the objectives of RA 7277 the National
Government, through the DSWD, shall ensure that the annual budget includes
provision to fund programs and provide support for PWDs.


Local government units shall likewise ensure that the necessary fund
from any available local revenues is allocated for the implementation of this
Act for the benefits of PWDs in their jurisdiction.

Sec.5. 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,6. Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the
other provisions hereof.

Sec.7. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

Publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation or the Official Gazette,
which comes first.

Approved,