Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.________ 
 _______________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. MARK O. GO 
_______________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article II, Section 9 of the 1987 Constitution provides, “The State shall promote a just and dynamic social 
order that will ensure prosperity and independence of the nation and free people from poverty through 
policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an 
improved quality of life for all.” Towards this end, this bill seeks to contribute to the support and 
development of the total well-being of differently abled persons and to facilitate in their integration into the 
mainstream of society by establishing a community shelter home in the City of Baguio.  
Differently abled persons continue to suffer from inequalities caused by unequal opportunities, 
discrimination, and social, economic, and political exclusion among others. The plight of differently abled 
persons is recognized by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and addressing their specific needs and 
situation is among the targets and indicators integrated in Goal 10 (SDG 10), “Reduce inequality within and 
among countries”. 
According to PSA’s National Disability Prevalence Survey, around 12% of Filipinos age 15 and older 
experienced severe disability, 47% experienced moderate disability, while 23% experienced mild disability. 
An increase in disability prevalence can also be observed with age as functioning declines or changes, with 
almost one in three (32%) of Filipinos with severe disability is a senior citizen. A study from the Asian 
Development Bank (ADB) notes that persons differently abled are among the poorest and most vulnerable, 
lacking access to education, social protection, health care services, employment and livelihood opportunities, 
as well as facing barriers in the built environment, transport and communications, and in accessing 
information and assistive technology. The ADB study further notes that poverty and disability are widely 
recognized as interrelated, with poor people more likely to become disabled due to their living conditions, 
and that disability is more likely to make people poor due to discrimination and lack of access.   
The establishment of a community shelter for differently abled persons will not only give its residents a 
roof above their heads, but will provide them with access to proper education and training programs that will 
lead to better livelihood and employment opportunities. With the goal of ensuring their autonomy, self-
sufficiency, dignity, and productivity, establishing a community shelter will aid persons differently abled as 
they prove that they are just as capable as persons not suffering from any disability to contribute to national 
growth and success. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 MARK O. GO 
August 22, 2022
4:56 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. MARK O. GO 
________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY CENTER FOR THE DIFFERENTLY ABLED IN 
THE CITY OF BAGUIO 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1.  Declaration of Policy.-- It is the policy of the State to provide full support to the 
improvement of the total well-being of disabled persons and their integration into the mainstream 
of society. It shall adopt policies ensuring the rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance 
of disabled persons. It shall develop their skills and potentials to enable them to compete 
favorably for available opportunities. 
Towards this end, the State shall provide shelter homes for the protection, proper care and 
development of skills and potentials of differently abled persons. 
SEC. 2.  Establishment of the Baguio City Community Center for the Differently Abled.-- 
The Baguio City Community Center for the Differently Abled Persons is hereby established 
under the control and supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development 
(DSWD). It shall set the policies and guidelines for the qualification of residents. 
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in coordination with the 
DSWD, shall identify the location of the community center and undertake its construction.  
SEC. 3.  Funding.-- The budgetary allocation needed to carry out the provisions of this 
Act is hereby authorized to be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year 
immediately following its enactment into law. 
SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations 
inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 5.  Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved,