Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1460
Introduced by  
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 
AN ACT ADVANCING THE ELIMINATION OF STIGMA AND 
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, AMENDING 
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE MAGNA CARTA FOR DISABLED PERSONS, AS AMENDED 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, was 
enacted with the goal of promoting the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities 
(PWDs) in the Philippines. It served as a foundational legal framework that sought to 
ensure that persons with disabilities are granted equal opportunity and access in the areas 
of employment, education, health services, and physical infrastructure. However, despite 
the existence of this landmark law, persons with disabilities continue to face persistent 
social stigma, discriminatory beliefs, and negative attitudes that hinder their full and 
equal participation in society. 
Discrimination against persons with disabilities remains deeply entrenched in cultural, 
institutional, and interpersonal levels. While the State has taken important steps to 
improve accessibility and protect civil rights, the social and attitudinal barriers that 
persons with disabilities face have not been sufficiently addressed through the law. In 
many instances, these attitudinal barriers prove more disabling than the physical or 
medical condition itself. Therefore, there is an urgent need to address the root causes of 
this discrimination, starting with education and structural policy reform. 
This bill seeks to advance the elimination of stigma and discrimination against persons 
with disabilities by introducing targeted amendments to Republic Act No. 7277. It 
institutionalizes educational and policy-based reforms that address not only external, 
July 7, 2025
3:14 pm


physical barriers, but more critically, internalized social prejudices that hinder the 
realization of an inclusive society. 
To achieve this, the bill proposes the addition of new provision that mandates all 
educational institutions at the primary level—whether formal or informal, public or 
private—shall include in their curriculum educational content that promotes 
understanding and dismantles discriminatory attitudes toward people with disabilities. 
This can be implemented either through a dedicated seminar or by integrating disability 
sensitivity content into existing subjects or units. 
The inclusion of disability sensitivity education at the primary level ensures that children 
learn early about inclusivity, empathy, and respect for diversity. By normalizing positive 
attitudes and behaviors toward persons with disabilities from a young age, society can 
make a generational shift toward genuine inclusion. The bill mandates that the 
Department of Education, in coordination with the National Council on Disability Affairs 
and other relevant agencies and private stakeholders, shall formulate the rules and 
regulations necessary to implement this provision. The collaboration with stakeholders 
from the disability sector guarantees that the educational materials developed will be 
accurate, relevant, and reflective of real experiences. 
In addition to reforms in the education sector, the bill also proposes the 
institutionalization of disability sensitivity in the public and private sector. This provision 
acknowledges that beyond the classroom, discriminatory attitudes often persist within 
organizational cultures and professional environments. In response, the bill calls for the 
establishment of a national policy that promotes disability sensitivity in both public and 
private institutions. 
In the public sector, all government agencies—including government-owned and 
controlled corporations (GOCCs) and local government units (LGUs)—shall be required 
to conduct regular programs that may include trainings, forums, or workshops aimed at 
promoting disability sensitivity. These initiatives will not only raise awareness within 
institutions but also reinforce inclusive practices in service delivery and governance. 
The same obligation shall apply to the private sector. Employers will be required to 
conduct regular programs such as trainings, workshops, or forums to promote disability 
sensitivity among their workforce. These programs aim to foster inclusive employment 
practices, eliminate workplace discrimination, and create safer and more welcoming 
environments for employees with disabilities. 
To ensure effective implementation, the Department of Labor and Employment, in 
coordination with the National Council on Disability Affairs and other relevant agencies 
and private stakeholders, shall be responsible for formulating the necessary implementing 
rules and regulations. Their role will be crucial in defining the standards, frequency, and 


content of the required programs, as well as in monitoring compliance across both 
sectors. 
To further encourage active participation by the private sector, the bill also provides that 
the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) shall introduce a minimal but significant tax 
incentive for employers who institutionalize disability sensitivity programs within their 
organizations. This incentive is envisioned to serve as recognition of private entities that 
go beyond compliance and genuinely commit to transforming their workplace culture in 
favor of inclusion and equality. 
This proposed measure represents a necessary evolution in our legislative approach to 
disability rights. It reflects a recognition that legal protections alone are not sufficient to 
dismantle decades—if not centuries—of systemic bias and social exclusion. Education 
and awareness must be institutionalized as core strategies in the promotion of inclusive 
development. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1460 
Introduced by  
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 
AN ACT ADVANCING THE ELIMINATION OF STIGMA AND 
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, AMENDING 
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE MAGNA CARTA FOR DISABLED PERSONS, AS AMENDED 
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 "Anti-stigmatization of 
Disabilities Act". 
SEC. 2. A new subsection is hereby added to Section 4 of Republic Act No. 7277, as 
amended, to read as follows: 
“SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. –x x x- 
-x x x-  
​
q) Disability Sensitivity-refers to the concept or programs aimed at avoiding
stereotypes, 
assumptions, and insensitive language and eliminating
discrimination directed towards persons with disabilities, promoting greater
understanding and working towards their full inclusion in all aspects of
society.”
SEC. 3. A new section is hereby added to Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, 
immediately after Section 40, to read as follows: 


“SEC. 40-1. Inclusion of Disability Sensitivity Education in the Primary Level 
Curriculum. – Educational institutions at the primary level, formal or informal, 
public or private, shall include as part of their curriculum, either through a 
special seminar or through integration into an existing subject or unit, 
education and information that shall work towards the elimination of 
discriminatory attitudes and beliefs towards people with disabilities. 
 
The Department of Education in coordination with the National Council on 
Disability Affairs, as well as other relevant agencies and private stakeholders, 
shall formulate the rules and regulations necessary to implement this section.” 
 
SEC. 4. A new section is hereby added the same Act immediately after Section 40-1, to 
read as follows: 
 
“SEC. 40-2. Institutionalization of Disability Sensitivity in the Public and 
Private Sector. – A policy promoting the elimination of discriminatory 
attitudes and beliefs towards people with disabilities shall be instituted in 
both the public and private sectors as follows: 
 
​
a. 
Government 
Agencies 
- 
Government 
agencies, 
including 
government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and Local 
Government Units, shall conduct regular programs, which include but shall 
not be limited to, trainings, forums, or workshops aimed at promoting 
disability sensitivity.  
 
​
b. Private Sector - Employers shall likewise conduct regular programs, 
which include but shall not be limited to, trainings, forums, or workshops 
aimed at promoting disability sensitivity.  
 
The Department of Labor, in coordination with the National Council on 
Disability Affairs, as well as other relevant agencies and private stakeholders, 
shall formulate the rules and regulation necessary to implement this section. 
 
The BIR shall also introduce a minimal but significant tax incentive to help 
promote the institutionalization of the bill in the private sector.” 
 
SEC. 5 Separability Clause. – In the event that any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected by such 
declaration. 
 
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or portions 
thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 


SEC. 7. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication 
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or the Official Gazette. 
 
Approved,