Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 180CT zar2
Quezon City . 25K Pe
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS ‘

Third Regular Session
HOUSE BILLNo.__6653

INTRODUCED BY REP. MARIA EVITA R. ARAGO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The State recognizes the need for rehabilitation, self-development and
integration of Persons with Disabilities into the mainstream through the Magna Carta
for Persons with Disabilities and other related laws. The Philippines likewise ratified
the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as an
affirmation to its commitment in promoting the rights of PWDs.

Although there are a number of legislation, projects and programs that aims to
assist the PWDs, the engagement of the government in providing direct assistance in the
physical and social rehabilitation of PWDs is still limited. Early intervention or regular
therapy sessions for PWDs are important to enable the PWDs to develop, be integrated
and to acquire skills that are necessary for daily living. The average cost of therapies or
interventions for PWDs amount to hundreds of pesos for every hour of service. This
makes the access to therapies and intervention sessions for poor Filipino PWDs nearly
impossible. It is hoped that the passage of this bill would result in providing centers
that would provide free services for qualified PWDs.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this m« is sought.

ITA R.
3 District, Laguna



Fifteenth Congress )
Republic of the Philippines)
Third Regular Session
House of Representatives

HB.No.___ 6653

Introduced by Representative Maria Evita R. Arago

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CITY AND MUNICIPAL
REHABILITATIONS CENTERS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH
DISABILITIES

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 “Youth with Disabilities
Empowerment”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - _ It is the Government's concern and
responsibility to facilitate the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities as provided in
Republic Act No. 7277 otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Persons with
Disabilities” and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities.” The State shall provide for the rehabilitation and training of children and
young adults with disabilities to ensure their right to live freely and independently will
ibe achieved.

Section 3. Definition. For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean:

a. “Persons with disabilities” - a person who has a restriction or limitation in
personal mobility, cognitive, mental, sensory communication and
development restrictions resulting in the impairment and hindrance of
his/her full development and effective participation in society;

b, “Disability” — condition that limits a person in his interaction with or
between persons that hinders their full and effective participation in society
on equal basis with others;

c. “Impairment” - any loss, diminution or aberration of psychological,
physiological, or anatomical structure or function;

d. “Rehabilitation*- an integrated approach to physical, social, cultural, spiritual,
educational and vocational measures that create conditions for the individual
to attain the highest possible level of functionality;

e. “Social Barriers” - any legal, economic or cultural aspect of society that limits
the fullest possible participation of persons with disabilities. These include
negative attitudes that single out and exchide those with disabilities;

f. “Children with disabilities” — persons 14 years old and below who have
disabilities, hereinafter referred to as CWDs;

g. “Young adult with disabilities” - persons who are 15-35 years old with
disabilities, hereinafter referred to as YAWDs;



h. “Center” — a government run facility that offers free and comprehensive
rehabilitation services to poor children and young adults with disabilities,
including but not limited to stimulation and therapeutic activity centers
(STACs).

Section 4. Establishment of Centers. — Centers for children and young adult with
disabilities shall be established in every city and municipality under the direct
supervision of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), hereinafter referred to
as the Council, in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) and the local government unit concerned.

Section 5. Functions of the Centers. - The Centers will be managed and operated
by teams tasked to provide comprehensive rehabilitations, social and educational
services to children and young adults with disabilities. They shall carry out the
following functions:

a. Physical Rehabilitation ~ children and young adults with disabilities, whether
in joint or separate sessions, shall undergo regular physical and /or
occupational therapy sessions to improve their physical condition, mobility,
and cognitive skills. Parents and other volunteers will also be trained to do
basic exercises that will ensure the continued rehabilitation of children in
their own homes.

b. Social Rehabilitation — the center will provide for regular counselling and
social enhancement activities. Young adults may be grouped together and
provide the organizational development training for the formation of their

association for persons with disabilities.

c. Education Component - Basic and advance special education sessions are
conducted in center to prepare children with disabilities for school and to
assist in school beneficiaries to cope with regular school load. Young adults
with disabilities will also be given appropriate session from basic literacy
training to placement in school or training facilities. Teachers in nearby
public schools may also be trained in inclusive education for children and
young adults with disabilities.

d. Psychological Component - these include personality development activities,
career development, job and internship coaching and orientation for potential
employers.

e. Information and Resource Center — it will also serve as an information center
for the rights and incentives accorded to persons with disabilities. Disabilility
related documents, materials and data are also to be made available in
accessible formats.

Section 6. Center Workers and Volunteers. - The Local Government Unit (LGU)
through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office and Municipal Health
Office shall designate social workers and health workers as staff members for the
centers. The LGU may appoint other personnel who possess the necessary professional
qualifications to work efficiently with the volunteers of the center. The LGUS may also
call upon responsible members of the community to provide medical, educational and
other services for the beneficiaries, Each Center shall be composed of the following
people:

a. Occupational Therapist;
b. Physical Therapist;
€. Social workers who will identify, assess and provide the social services to be
rendered to the CWDs, VAWDs and their families. They area also responsible for
organizing and empowering the associations of the parents and YAWDs;
@ Special Education teacher, and
. Barangay Health Worker trained in providing basic rehabilitation. They will
assist in the identification of beneficiaries, their disabilities and the execution of
rehabilitation activities.


142

A volunteer rehabilitation doctor or a developmental paediatrician from a nearby public
hospital should evaluate the beneficiaries and provide initial rehabilitation plans to
guide the team. Speech therapists, psychologists and other specialists and trained
volunteers may be employed to provide services in the centers.

Section 7. Fiscal Incentives. — The following fiscal incentives shall be provided
for under this Act:

a. The Centers shall be exempted from the payment of customs, duties, taxes
and tariffs on the importation of equipment and supplies used actually,
directly and exclusively by the Centers pursuant to this Act.

b. All grants, endowments, donations, or contributions used actually, directly
and exclusively for the Centers shall be exempt from donor's or gift tax and
are likewise tax deductible.

Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations, - The Council, in coordination
with the Department of interior and Local Government (DILG), DSWD, Department of
Health (DOH) and organizations advocating the rights of persons with disabilities such
as Ang Pederasyon ng mga Magulang na May mga Anak na Maykapansan sa
Pilipinas, Inc. (AMAMI) shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and
regulations within sixty (60) days after this Act takes effect, The said agencies and
groups will assist and provide the necessary support in the effective implementation of
‘this Act.

Section 9. Appropriations. - First, second and third class municipalities shall
provide funding for the operation and maintenance of their Centers, The sum necessary
for the continuous operation of fourth and fifth class municipality centers shall be
subsidized in part by the national government and in part by the local government units
concerned; provided that, for the initial year of implementation, the sum of Five
Hundred Million Pesos (Phps00,000,000) is 75 hereby authorized to be charged against
the savings from the current appropriations of the DILG, DSWD and DOH, provided
further that thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the implementation of this
Act shall be included in the General Appropriation Act.

Section 10. Separability Clause. If, for any reason, any part or provision of this
Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are
not affected thereby shall continue to be in full foree and effect.

Section 11. Repeating Clause. All laws, decrees, Executive Orders and Republic
Acts inconsistent herewith are hereby deemed repealed.

Section 12. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) days following its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or the Official Gazette.

Approved,