Disability body broadens horizon for PWDs

• Source:http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2601459498421/disability-body-broadens-horizon-for-pwds
• Friday, April 1, 2016

(RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 1 (PIA)– To provide better opportunities for development of persons with disability (PWDs), the Regional Committee on Disability Affairs (RCDA) in northern Mindanao fosters and strengthens the existing laws that protect the sector’s rights and privileges through conducting advocacy campaigns and forum.

During the first quarter meeting of the RCDA on March 30, Andres Rhudy Ravelo, Jr. of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) said that with the signing of the Republic Act 10754 that grants value-added tax (VAT) exemption benefits to PWDs on March 23, the sector will now have better chance to uplift the lives of its members.

This also indicates that council’s efforts in making the situation of the PWDs known to every Filipino is moving the sector forward.

Also, this new measure will align the law of PWD with that of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act which provides VAT exemption on top of their existing 20 percent discount on goods and services.

Aside from that success, Ravelo shared that they are currently working hand in hand with the regional councils to create various strategies to reduce poverty and enhance work and employment prospects of the PWDs.

Thus, he cited the creation and implementation in local government units (LGUs) of the Republic Act 1179 that promotes vocational rehabilitation of the blind and other handicapped persons and their return to civil employment as well as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) AO 21 on Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Ravelo added that there are also laws that every citizen must be aware of in promoting participation in political processes and in decision-making particularly the RA 7277 Magna Carta for PWD and RA 10366 Accessible Polling Places. He stressed such laws since election is fast approaching and every PWD should know his or her right to suffrage.

Currently, the RCDA is focused on ensuring disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction and management, improving the reliability and comparability of disability data, accelerating the ratification and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of PWDs and harmonization of national legislation with the convention, and advancing sub-regional, regional and interregional cooperation.