Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSEB|LLNo.9686
RECEIVED
DEC   0  7  2023#
•T"Ea_..Oii}iTy.
Introduced by Representative Jaime R. Fresnedi
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to roll out a monthly disability support allowance to all indigent Persons
with Disabilities (PWD) who have disabilities that would require them the assistance of another
individual due to their physical limitations the aniount of Two Thousand Pesos (Php 2,000.00)
through the Disability Support Fund. This shall serve as a means to address the gaps found in
the  current  implementation  of programs  at  the  local  and  national  level  for  the  financial
assistance being given TPDs who are unable to provide for themselves.
As  defined  in Republic Act No.  7277,  also  known as the  Magna Carta for Disabled
Persons, disa;bled persons "are those srff ;ering f rom restriction Of diff erent abilities, as a result
Of a mental, physical or sensory impairment, to perform an activity in the manner or within the
range considered normal for a human being.'. Col:nrnon types of disaLb±1it±es in the Philippines
include  visual  impairment,  hearing  impairment,  mobility  issues,  and  intellectual  disability.
They constitute around  1.57% of the entire population which is equivalent to approximately
1.44 million individuals. The National Disability Prevalence Survey (NDPS) of the Philippine
Statistics Authority (PSA) from the year 2016 show that 12% of Filipinos aged 15 and above
live  with  a  severe  disability,  with  a third  of the  Philippine  population  aged  60  and  older
experiencing the same. These individuals no longer have the ability to work due to the nature
of their disability, which then results to a total loss of income as their capacity to make a living
would no  longer be possible.  Moreover,  younger children who  live  with  severe  disabilities
requiring  permanent  care  face  significant  challenges  in  accessing  appropriate  support  and
services. According to a 2018 report by the Philippines Statistics Authority, around 1.6 million
children aged 0 to  17 years old have disabilities, comprising approximately 2.2% of the total
child population. Unfortunately, a considerable number of these children require lifetime care
due to the severity of their disabilities.
The  government  has  implemented  various  programs  and  legislations  to  alleviate  the
financial challenges faced by PWD individuals, such as disability discounts ranging from five
percent (5%) to twenty percent (20%) on essential goods and services, twelve percent (12%)


discounts  on  Value-Added  Tax  (VAT),  and  mandatory  PhilHealth  coverage  for  all  PWDs.
However, these measures fall  short of adequately addressing the  financial  strains borne by
PWDs,evenmoresoindigentindividualswhoareunabletoengageingainfulemploymentand
for children who would need lifetime care.
Persons with Disabilities, most especially indigent PWDs,  still struggle to live a more
dignified  life  due  to  restrictions  borne  upon  them.  The  correlation  between  disability  and
poverty  creates  a  precarious  situation  for  them  as  their  economic  status  compounds  the
difficulties of managing their disabilities effectively.
Through this piece  of legislation we  will be  able to  affirm  our commitment towards
fostering  an  inclusive  society  that  recognizes  the  value  and  well-being  of every  citizen.
Furthermore, the provision of a regular stipend to indigent PWDs addresses the higher risk of
poverty within this demographic. Ultimately, the Disability Support Fund serves as a way to
empower the PWD sector with the financial means to lead dignified lives.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is eamestly sought.
Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEHNTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUsEB|LLNo.9686
Introduced by Rep. Jaime R. Fresnedi
AN ACT
HSTABLISHING THE DISABILITY SUPPORT FUND FOR TIIE EMPOWERMENT,
FULL PARTICIPATION AND INCLUSION OF PERSONS IN
SOCIETY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THHREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House Of Representatives Of the Philippines in Congress
assembled..
SECTION 1. Sfeo7`f rz.//e. -This shall be known as the "Dz.sczbj./I.ty Saipporf F#79dj4cJ ''.
SEC.  2.  Dcc/crrcz/z.o#  a/ Po/j.c);.  -The  Philippines,  as  a  State  Party  to  the  United  Nations
Convention on the Rights of persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), recognizes all the rights of persons
with disabilities and shall take effective and appropriate measures to respect, protect, and fulfill the full
enjoyment by Persons With Disabilities (PWD) of these rights such as, but not limited to, access to
habilitation and rehabilitation services, participation in socio-economic activities, access to a range of
in home, residential and other community support services, including personal assistance, leaming and
assistive  devices,  and  technology  necessary  to  support  living  independently  and  inclusion  in  the
community, and to prevent isolation or segregation from the community.
It is the declared policy of the State to adopt the generally-accepted principles of intemational
law as part of the law of the land. It is likewise vital that the State advance social justice in order to end
poverty in all its forms, particularly the historical deprivation of the support required by persons with
disabilities for their effective inclusion and full participation in society.
To attain a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of
the nation and free the people  from poverty through policies that provide  adequate  social  services,
promote full employment, raises the standard of living,  and improve the quality of life, appropriate
measures in developing social protection programs and allowances that recognize the additional costs
associated with disability shall be undertaken.
Towards  this  end,  the  State  shall  establish  a  Disability  Support  Fund  to  augment  local
goverrment  units'  assistance  for their  disability-specific  and mainstreamed  programs  and  services,
targeting persons with disabilities to support their need to access services and new skills, leading to
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social  and  economic  productivity  and  allowing  them  to  gain  greater  independence  and  become
contributing members in nation-building.
SEC. 3 . Dc/7cz.Jz.o/e o/rer#as. -For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be defined as
follows:
a)    "Dz.sczbz./J.fy"  is  an  umbrella term  for  impairments,  activity  limitations  and  participation
restrictions,  referring to  the  negative  aspects  of interaction  between  an  individual with
health condition and contextual factors;
b)    "DJ.sczbJ./J.fy CJJ?dIveec7s j4ssess"e72J" refers to the process by which disability of an individual
is officially recognized for the purpose of eligibility determination to diverse entitlements.
It is based on a huinan rights model of disability, with a focus on functional limitations,
support requirements and barriers restricting participation; Persons who may fall in this
definition are all other persons under the disability assessment and determination system
issued by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) which will be developed under
this law and shall also be used in the issuance of the persons with disability ID;
c)    "DJ.sczbz./I.ty-7ie/czfec7 exfrcz car/a" are the expenses subjected to a person with disability based
on  disability-specific  needs  and  barriers  resulting  from  inaccessibility  of facilities  and
services. Refers to the direct (e.g., buying assistive device or paying for personal assistance
or sign language interpretation service, or extra health care like medicines, more expensive
housing  or  transportation  service,  etc.)  and  indirect  (e.g.,  loss  productivity  because  of
longer travel time such as experienced by those who uses wheelchair who need to travel by
wheelchair because they cannot use the cheaper public transport, family members who stop
working to provide care and support to persons with disabilities, etc.) costs as a result of
their disability that drives persons  with  disabilities  in  situation  of poverty,  exposure to
vulnerability of exclusion or restriction to participation" ;
d)    "J#c7z.ge#/ P7yD" as used in this Act, is a person with disability whose income is insufficient
for  maintenance  medications,  treatments,  and  other  disability-related  extra  costs,  as
identified based on specific criteria to be formulated by the Department of Social Welfare
and  Development  (DSWD),  the  National  Council  of Disability  Affairs  (NCDA),  and
representatives from national organizations of persons with disabilities, in accordance with
the guiding principles set forth in Section 2;
e)    "PersoJ?s w/.Jfe DJ.sc7bz./z.ty" 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.
Sec. 4. A;.sczbz./i.fy Swj?porJ F##cJ. - The Disability Support Fund shall aim to provide a regular
stipend to indigent PWDs based on the eligibility criteria to be formulated by the DSWD, the NCDA
and representatives from national organizations of persons with disabilities. The initial amount of Two
Thousand Pesos (Php 2,000.00) a month per individual beneflciary is set for the Disability Support
Fund, which will be indexed to inflation to preserve its positive impact on the standards of living and
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participation of indigent PWDs. This would contribute, in combination with existing social protection
programs and discounts to address the higher cost of transportation, housing, nutrition, hygiene and
temporary human assistance requirements, among others. For working age adults out of work, it will
provide a basic  income security and will help cover disability related costs for finding and keeping
work.
SEC. 5. C'overc}ge. -All indigent persons with disabilities who needs the assistance of another
person in order to be able to move around because of their physical disability as certified by the DSWD
shall be covered by the provisions of this Act. Priority shall initially be given to children with disabilities
and adults with significant disabilities who are facing the highest barriers and disability-related costs.
SEC.  6.  E/z.gz.bj./7.ty.  ~ In determining  eligibility to  avail  of the  Disability  Support Fund, the
Disability and Needs Assessment System shall be considered, with a focus on functional limitations,
support requirements, and barriers to pardcipation. In recognition of the multiple forms of poverty and
the  extent  of  disability-related  costs  required  for  basic  participation,  eligibility  of  persons  with
disabilities  to  avail  of the  Disability  Support  Fund  will  be  compatible,  insofar  as  practicable,  with
eligibility and benefits from different social protection and economic empowerment programs such as,
but not limited to, the  Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, the Fund acting as a top-up for
subsidizing disability-related extra costs.
Provided,  That  the  DSWD  may,  in  its  discretion,  adopt  additional  bases  to  achieve  the
objectives of this Act.
S;EC. 7 . Role Of the Department Of Social Well;are and Development (DSWD)` -The T}S;ND
shall be the administrator of the Disability Support Fund. All applications for availing of the Fund shall
be lodged with the DSWD. In partnership with the NCDA, organizations of persons with disabilities,
all  concerned  government  agencies,  local  government  units  thru  the  PDAO,  and  non-government
organizations shall implement programs and services targeting persons with disabilities.
All policies concerning programs and services for persons with disabilities shall be reviewed
and enhanced for clarity of operationalization at the local level by the DSWD.
SEC. 8. Dz.sczb/.//.ty ¢#d Iveec7s .4sscssme7!/ S.}.5.Jem. -To effectively implement social protection
measures for PWDs covered under this Act, a Disability Data Management System shall be created and
managed by the DSWD,  in coordination with the   Department of Information and Communications
Technology (DICT), and shall be linked to the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) which
aid in the development of poverty-reduction programs from local to the national level. Linkage to the
National  ID  System,  and  the  DOH  Persons  with  Disability  Registry,  which  is  mirrored  with  the
PhilHealth  Database  System  shall  also  be  done  to  provide  real-tine  disability  data  and  subsidized
eurolment to PhilHealth insurance.
SEC. 9. Po/7'c}J o# Dz.sabz7!ty Jde"/z/}cczfro" Cards.  -The issuance of Disability Identification
Cards pursuant to  Republic Act No.  7277,  otherwise known as the  "Magma Carta for Persons with
Disabilities," as amended, along with other relevant laws, administrative fssuances and local ordinances,
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shall incorporate the information necessary for the granting of the monthly disability support  allocation
to eligible indigent PWDs.
SEC.10. Pe7€o/ P7iovz.sz.o7?s.  -The penalties shall apply to the following:
a)    Any  indigent PWD,  or his/her parent or histher relative  of any degree  of consanguinity  or
affinity, or any third person found to be deliberately committing any fraudulent act of enrolling a Person
With Disability to the when a person is not eligible shall suffer the following:
i.         For the first violation, a fine of not less than Twenty-five thousand pesos  (Php 25,000)
but not exceeding Fifty thousand pesos (Php 50,000);
ii.         For  any  subsequent  violations,  a  fine  of not  less  than  Fifty  thousand  pesos  (Php
50,000.00) but not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (Php 22100,000.00); and
iii.         For a third and fourth violation, a revocation of any license or business permit;
b)   Any  person,  natural  or juridical,  violating  any  provision  of this  Act  and  its  IRR,  except
violations pertaining to Subsection a of this Section, shall be penalized with a fine of not less
than Fifty thousand pesos (Php 50,000.00) but not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (Php
100,000.00).  If the violator is a coaporation,  organization or any  similar juridical entity, the
officials directly involved and responsible shall be liable therefor.
SEC.11. A4lo#z.forz.7!g. -The DSWD, in collaboration with representatives of the Organizations
of persons with Disabilities, is hereby tasked to convene an Inter-Agency Committee to make an annual
assessment of the implementation of this Act.
SEC.  12. i4pf7#aprJ.cJ/J.o#s.  -The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations of the DSWD in the year following its enactment into
law  and  thereafter.  The  allocated  budget  shall  gradually  increase  in  fulfillment  of the  progressive
realization principle.
SEC.  13.  J"p/eme#/J.ng JZ2j/es a#d Jzegw/czfz.o7gs.  -Within one hundred and twenty (120) days
from  the  affectivity  of this Act,  the  Department  of Social  Welfare  and  Development  (DSWD),  in
consultation with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health
(DOH),  Philippine   Statistics  Authority  (PSA),  National  Council  for  Disability  Affairs  OVCDA),
National Anti-Poverty Council (NAPC), representative/s from registered Organizations of persons with
Disabilities,   and   other   relevant   stakeholders   from   government   agencies   and   non-governlnent
organizations, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.
SEC.  14. ReporJ Jo Co7zgress. -The DSWD shall annually submit a report to Congress on the
status of the implementation of this Act for the puxpose of review and recommendation of additional
measures       necessary       for       the       attainment       of       the       objectives       of       this       Act.
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SEC.15. S#pf?/e/ory Cczc{se. -The provisions of Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as
the  "Magma  Carta  for  Persons  with  Disabilities,"  as  amended  by  Republic Act  22  No.  10754  and
Republic Act No. 9442, have suppletory effect to the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 16. Scpcrrc7bj./;ty C/czz{se. -If any provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional,
the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 26 remain valid and in effect.
SEC.  17. jtepecz/j.#g Cycza/se. -Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter
of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of
this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.
SEC.  18. Ejorec/I.vz.fy C/c7ajse. -This Act shall take effect fifteen ( 15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
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