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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

House BiLLNo.__7033

Introduced by Representative DAVID “Jay-Jay” C. SUAREZ and Representative ANNA
MARIE VILLARAZA- SUAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disability states its
purpose to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and
fundamental freedoms by all persons with disability and to promote respect in their inherent
dignity. It also defined persons with disability to include those who have long-term physical, mental,
intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and
effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

Further, the same convention states that persons with disabilities have the right to recognition
everywhere as persons before the law.’ The United Arab Emirates (UAE) refers to persons with disability
as “persons of determination” and protects and empowers them through services and facilities in the
areas of education, health, jobs and more.”

Under UAE's Federal Law Concerning rights of people with disabilities, it protects people of
determination and guarantees them the right to live with dignity and seeks to include them in the process
of drafting policies and legislations that concem them or may affect their quality of life.”

In the Disabilities and Equal Opportunities Act of 2017 of the State of Antigua and Barbuda, it is
the objectives of their law to improve the general standard of living for persons with disability; to provide
a clear and comprehensive national mandate to facilitate the elimination of existing cases of

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with%20disabilt he.an’ r i

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discrimination against persons with disabilities, and to put safeguards in place to prohibit further
discrimination against such persons; to promote on a national level, the principle that a person with a
disability is entitled to the same fundamental rights as a person who does not have a disability; and to
ensure full and effective participation in all aspects of society for a person with a disability on an equal
basis with a person who does not have a disabilty.*

With the cited laws of the countries above, it is undeniable that our Persons with Determination
(PWDs), despite their disabilities, are still members in our society who play vital roles and deserve the
same treatment received and available to persons without any disabilities.

With this proposed measure, the term persons with disability will be changed to “Persons
with Determination’ and shall likewise change our perception in dealing and treating persons
with determination. it shall also strengthen the protection of Persons with Determination against
any kind or form of discrimination, neglect and abuse. It shall also boost the support and
assistance to Persons with Determination as to education, health, livelihood, employment and
access to social and other government services.

These measures shall ensure the full and effective participation of a person with
determination in all aspects of society, to be on equal footing with a person without disability.

Given the abovementioned circumstances, the immediate passage of this bill is
necessary.

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ANNA MARIE YALLARAZA- SUAREZ
Representatiyg/ ALONA Party-List

DAVID “JA
Represenfa

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 7033

Introduced by Representative DAVID “Jay-Jay” C. SUAREZ and Representative ANNA
MARIE VILLARAZA- SUAREZ

AN ACT
REDEFINING PERSONS WITH DISABILITY (PWD) TO PERSONS OF DETERMINATION
(POD) AND PROVIDING ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS FOR THEIR EMPOWERMENT

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 Idle Persons with
Determination (PWD) Act of 2023.

SEC. 2. Objectives.- This Act shall have the primary purpose of changing the term
Persons with Disability to Persons with Determination. It also intends to change the perception
of people in dealing or treating Persons with Determination.

This Act shall also strengthen the protection of Persons with Determination against any
kind or form of discrimination, neglect and abuse. It shall also boost the support and assistance
to Persons with Determination as to education, health, livelinood, employment and access to
social and other government services

It shall also ensure full and effective participation in all aspects of society of a person with
determination on equal footing with a person who does not have disability

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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

a. “Person of Determination” or “POD” refers to individuals with physical, mental, intellectual, or
sensory impairments, including, but not limited to, those with autism, cerebral palsy, down
syndrome, and mental health conditions.

b. "Barangay" refers to the smallest administrative division of the Philippines.

©. Social Security System" or "SSS" refers to the government-mandated social security system in
the Philippines.

SEC. 4. Recognition of PODs as Persons of Determination. - The term "Persons with
Disabilities” or "PWD" shall be officially recognized as "Persons of Determination" or "POD" in all
government documents and forms.

SEC. 5. Right to Open Bank Accounts. - PODs shall have the right to open bank accounts with
the presence of their guardian and an official of their barangay. The bank shall not require any additional
documentation or signatures for the opening of such accounts.

SEC. 6. Right to Become Voluntary Members of the Social Security System. - PODs shall
have the right to become voluntary members of the Social Security System (SSS). The SSS shall provide
assistance to PODs in the enrollment process and shall not require any additional documentation or
signatures.

SEC. 7. Creation of POD Support Fund. - There shall be created a POD Support Fund for the
purpose of funding the implementation of this Act and to support other programs and services for PODs.
The Fund shall be administered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and
shall be sourced from the annual budget of the national government and any other sources as may be
provided by law.

SEC. 8. Implementation and Monitoring. - The Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG), shall be responsible for the implementation and monitoring of this Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - \f any provision of this Act or any parts thereof, shall be
declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
portions.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, regulations, executive orders, presidential decrees,
and other issuances inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed
repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
official gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.


Approved,

~~
DAVID “JAY: ANNA MARIE VILV/ARAZA- SUAREZ
Representati Representative, ALONA Party-List