Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
    EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) (formerly National Council 
for the Welfare of Disabled Persons or NCWDP) is the national government 
agency mandated to formulate policies and coordinate the activities of all 
agencies, whether public or private, concerning disability issues and concerns. 
As such, the NCWDP is the lead agency tasked to steer the course of program 
development for persons with disabilities and the delivery of services to the 
sector. 
By virtue of Presidential Executive Order No. 709 issued last February 26, 2008, 
it redefines the functions and organizational structure of the National Council 
for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP) and renames it as the "National 
Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA)." 
NCDA is tasked to monitor the implementation of several laws to ensure the 
protection of Persons With Disabilities (PWD)s' civil and political rights. These 
laws include the Republic Act No. 7277 otherwise known as Magna Carta for 
Disabled Persons, Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 or Accessibility Law. Also included 
are Republic Act 6759 or White Cane Act and ILO Convention No. 159 or the 
October 14, 2022
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Vocational Rehabilitation of Persons With Disability. It has also been tasked, 
through Proclamation No. 125, to coordinate activities and to monitor the 
observance of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (1993–2002) in 
the Philippines. Proclamation No. 125 was issued by the President Fidel V. 
Ramos on January 15, 1993, to enjoin both the government and the private 
entities to organize projects based on the policy categories mentioned in the 
agenda for action of the decade. 
 
NCDA was an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD). However, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the 
Office of the President to further strengthen the government programs for the 
welfare of persons with disabilities. the President effected the transfer through 
Executive Order No. 676 to closely monitor and improve the government action 
and program development for persons with disabilities and delivery of services 
to the sector 
 
 
This House Bill seeks to provide Modernization Funding to the National 
Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), to whose rights and multi-dimensional 
well- being are fully recognized, respected and promoted towards the attainment 
of national unity and development. 
 
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.  
MICHAEL L. ROMERO  
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR MODERNIZATION FUNDINGFOR THE NATIONAL 
COUNCIL ON DISABILITY AFFAIRS (NCDA), INCREASING AND 
REORGANIZING ITS ADMINISTRATION, TO STEER THE COURSE 
OF PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 
(PWDs) AND THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES TO THE SECTOR AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY – It shall hereby be a declared 
policy of the State: 
1. To formulate and advocate policies according to internationally
and nationally accepted standards in the areas of prevention of
the causes of disability, rehabilitation and equalization of
opportunities for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
2. To develop, promote and regularly review the national plan for
the prevention, rehabilitation, full participation and equalization
of opportunities for persons with disabilities.
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3. To coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of 
policies, plans and programs. 
4. To advocate/promote respect for rights and privilege of Persons 
With Disabilities (PWDs). 
The state shall formulate policies for the efficient and effective administration 
and management of all manpower, skills and competencies to ensure 
compliance. 
SECTION 
2. 
MODERNIZATION FUNDING. – The amount of Five Hundred 
Million Pesos (Php 500,000,000.00) for the operation and administration of the 
National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) shall be chargeable against 
funds for the purpose and other sources recommended by the Department of 
Budget and Management (DBM). Thereafter, appropriations for the National 
Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) shall be included in the budget proposals 
under the Department of Social Welfare and development (DSWD). 
 
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall rationalize the existing 
organizational structure and staffing pattern of the National Council on 
Disability Affairs (NCDA) in accordance with the provisions of this Act and 
relevant compensation and position classification laws, rules and regulations. 
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the 
modernization program, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act (GAA). 
SECTION 
3. 
NATIONAL 
COUNCIL 
ON 
DISABILITY 
AFFAIRS (NCDA) MODERNIZATION FUND – There is hereby created the 
(NCDA) Modernization Fund to be used exclusively for the (NCDA) Modernization 
Program. 


The (NCDA) Modernization Fund shall be administered by the Secretary of the 
DSWD in accordance with existing government budgeting, accounting and 
auditing rules and regulations. 
SECTION 
4. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Secretary of DSWD shall 
prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the (NCDA) 
Modernization Programs which shall be submitted, to the Office of the President 
and to the Chairpersons of the Committee on Social Services of the Senate and 
the House of Representatives. 
SECTION 
5. 
PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION – The modernization 
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of two (2) 
years:  
Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  
Provided, 
further, That 
the 
National 
Council 
on 
Disability 
Affairs (NCDA) shall continue to develop, modernize and constantly update its 
operational capabilities to keep pace with best global practices. 
SECTION 
6. 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS. – The National Council on 
Disability Affairs (NCDA) shall continue to exercise and uphold the following 
powers and functions; but not limited to: 
To accomplish its mandate, the NCDA shall have the following powers, 
jurisdiction and function: 
1. Formulate policies on disability prevention and rehabilitation for the 
welfare of persons with disabilities. 
2. Formulate research and development policies on health, education, 
labor and social welfare for persons with disabilities. 
3. Undertake continuing research and related studies on various topics 
pertaining to disability prevention, rehabilitation and equalization of 
opportunities for persons with disabilities. 


4. Formulate integrated and comprehensive long and medium-term 
national plans on the welfare of persons with disabilities. 
5. Establish and maintain linkages and networking with local and 
international organizations, including organization of and for persons 
with disabilities. 
6. Conduct program evaluation and monitoring, consultative meetings 
and symposia on issues related to disability prevention and 
rehabilitation. 
7. Propose legislation and initiate advocacy programs for the welfare of 
persons with disabilities. 
8. Develop a broad public information and dissemination program on 
disability prevention, rehabilitation, full participation and equalization 
of opportunities. 
9. Submit periodic reports to the DSWD Secretary on activities of the 
council. 
10. 
Establish and maintain a data bank and referral system on disability 
prevention, rehabilitation, full participation and equalization of 
opportunities 
 
SECTION 
7. 
INCREASE OF PERSONNEL. – The shall maintain the 
sufficient staffing pattern. Hence, it is authorized to increase its manpower to 
meet such required and may continue to increase personnel per percentage rate 
increase of committed mandates annually or as the need arises. 
SECTION 
8. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
SECTION 
9. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 
10. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 


SECTION 
11. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
12. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
 
Approved,