Thursday, July 24, 2008 Law enforcement for disabled sought By Ian Ocampo Flora
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Citing the amendments to the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, the Provincial Social Welfare Office (PSWDO) and Quota International are calling for the implementation of the laws that grant new privileges and benefits for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
This was stressed during the "Forum on The Rights and Privileges of the Disabled" at Aqua Blue Resort in Barangay Telebastagan here Wednesday, which was attended by representatives from the transport, government, business and education sectors.
According to Lucia Gutierrez of the PSWDO, the forum aims to propagate awareness on the amendments made to the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (Republic Act 7277). Under RA 9442 (An Act Amending RA 7277), PWDs are given extensive privileges and benefits. RA 9442 was signed in February this year.
The law provides 20 percent privileges discounts relative to the utilization of all services in hotels and similar lodging establishments, restaurants and recreation centers. It also provides admission fee privileges of 20 percent discount on fees charged by theaters, cinema houses, concert halls and the likes.
May Bergman of Quota International said PWDs are also given particular attention on benefits for educational assistance and even benefits on tax incentives.
"This law is very much important for the living conditions of PWDs to improve. We need the cooperation of all sectors of society," Bergman said.
Board Member Edna David, chairperson of the Provincial Board (PB) committee on health, said the PB has been encouraging and creating measures for the benefit of PWDs. She said the implementation of such measures depend on the sectors that are affected by the provisions.
"The task of empowering PWDs is a distinct responsibility of everyone in the community," she added.
Recently, the Provincial Government has allotted P5.7 million for the PSWDO's projects and programs for PWDs.
Gutierrez, on the other hand, called for equal access of opportunities for PWDs. She said it is not enough that PWDs are given benefits and privileges.
"The DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) has aptly dubbed this year's theme as 'Kapag May Access May Success.' We must also give PWDs enough access to buildings and our roads. Likewise, their education and subsequent employment should be given much attention," Gutierrez added.
RA 7277, on the other hand, mandates that five percent of casual, emergency and contractual positions in the DSWD and health and education departments should be reserved for PWDs. This rule also applies to government agencies, offices and corporations engaged in social development.
Gutierrez, however, said much is still left to be done to propagate the awareness on the rights of PWDs. She said that once empowered, PWDs could also become productive members of the community and can even go into business and commercial endeavors.
"All it takes is a little encouragement and understanding," she said.
