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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE } 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPLNES 
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First Regular Session 
Introduced by SENATOR FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 7277 otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons was 
enacted for the primary reason that persons with disabilities have the same rights as other 
people. The measwe promotes their full participation in society and integration into the 
mainstream of society. This commitment is lucid in the law and that government should 
ensure the equal opportunities and access to health services for persons with disabilities. 
However, the ideals and goals contained in Republic Act No. 7277 such as providing a 
full range of accessible services for persons with disabilities cannot be completely 
achieved unless an office is established in every local government unit to oversee the deal 
with the needs of the persons with disabilities. Hence, the creation of the Persons with 
Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) in every province, city and municipality is being 
urged. This office will formulate .a master plan to institutionalize a national health 
program for persons with disabilities. It seeks to make the delivery of health services 
more comprehensive and efficient. Presently, there is no office that caters to the needs of 
persons with disabilities in local government units. 
In sum, this bill intends to create a PDAO in every province, city and municipality. 
Due to the foregoing reasons, passage of this bill is being earnestly sought. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE } 
First Regular Session 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
Introduced by SENATOR FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN 
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AN ACT 
CREATING THE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 
AFFAIRS OFFICE IN EVERY PROVINCE, CITY 
AND MUNICIPALITY, AMENDING SECTION 40 OF 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277 OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS 
'AN 
ACT 
PROVIDING 
FOR 
THE 
REHABILITATION, SELF-DEVELOPMENT AND 
SELF-RELIANCE OF DISABLED PERSONS AND 
THEIR INTEGRATION INTO THE MAINSTREAM 
OF SOCIETY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 40 of Republic Act No. 7277 is hereby 
amended to read as follows: 
"Section 40. Role of National Agencies and Local Government 
Units 
(A) Local government units shall promote the establishment of 
organizations of [disabled persons] PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 
(PWDS) in their respective territorial jurisdictions. National agencies and 
Local government units may enter into joint ventures with organizations or 
associations of [disable persons] PWDS to explore livelihood 
opportunities and other undertakings that shall enhance the health, 
physical fitness and economic social well-being of [disable persons] 
PWDS. 
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(B) IT SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT UNITS TO ENSURE THAT THE AGENCIES 
CONCERNED SHALL EXTEND THE SERVICES PROVIDED IN 
THIS ACT TO PWDS BY CREATING THE PERSONS WITH 
DISDABILITIES 
AFFAIRS 
OFFICE 
(PDAO) 
IN 
EVERY 
PROVINCE, CITY AND MUNICIPALITY.” 
(C) 
THE 
SOCIAL 
DEVELOPMENT 
PARTNERSHIP 
PROGRAM SHALL BE CREATED TO ARRANGE AND DELIVER 
ACTIVITIES FOR PWDs THROUGH BUSINESS, PUBLIC AND 
PROVATE INSTITUTIONS, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS 
AND OTIIER PARTNERS INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING 
EMPLOYMENT OR SELF-EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES 
FOR PWD THE NATIONAL COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM 
SUPPORTS 
MULTI-REGIONAL 
PROJECTS 
THAT 
DEMONSTRATES EFFECTIVE AND INNOVATIVE PRACTICES 
IN ASSISTING PWDs. 
SEC 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, 
executive orders, and rules and regulations inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation or the 
Oficial Gazette, whichever comes first. 
Approved, 
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