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PWDs want social pension, full implementation of PWD laws

By Gladys Pino

July 26, 2018, 7:39 pm

MANILA –The Laguna Federation of Persons with Disabilities (LFPWDs) wants Congress to pass a law that provides PWDs with social pension similar to what the indigent elderlies are receiving.

LFPWD president Anthony Rebenque, together with other members of PWD federations from Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (Calabarzon), aired this Thursday during the opening of the two-day PWD Health Summit at the Atrium Hotel in Pasay City, spearheaded by the Department of Health-Calabarzon Regional Director Dr. Eduardo C. Janairo.

Rebenque also called for the stricter implementation of PWD laws like Republic Act 10070 and Batas Pambansa 344.

“The monthly stipend, which amounts to PHP500 or PHP1,000, will greatly help persons with disabilities with their daily subsistence and other medical needs, tulad sa senior citizens mandatory na, sa PWDs wala (for senior citizens, it’s mandatory, but none for PWDs),” Rebenque said.

He also expressed optimism that Philippine laws recognizing and guaranteeing the rights and welfare of PWDs would be strictly implemented.

RA 10070, or establishing an institutional mechanism to ensure the implementation of programs and services for PWDs in every province, city and municipality, is still not being fully implemented.

“Yung creation ng Persons With Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in cities, municipalities, although me order na from DILG, hindi pa din sya fully implemented (The creation of Persons With Disability Affairs Office in cities, municipalities, though there was already a directive, was not fully implemented),” Rebenque said.

He added that while they are calling for the strict implementation of the law, it should also be clear that the PDAO officer should come from their sector.

“Para mas naiintindihan at alam nya ang aming pinagdadaanan (For better understanding and knowledge of what we go through in our everyday life).”

He pointed out that another law BP344, which mandates government and private buildings to have structural and architectural provisions for enhanced mobility and accommodation of PWDs, should also be strictly implemented.

“This is still not being implemented in the local level, “madami pa din ang hindi sumusunod, lalo na mga private (a lot are still not complying to this law, especially among the private companies),” he said.

On the DOH IV-A provided data, which were based on the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, Calabarzon recorded the highest number of PWDs with 193,000.

Of the 1.4 million nationwide PWDs, it mostly affects males, between 15 to 19 years old.

Other than the social pension, through this summit, Rebenque and his members hope to lobby for other forms of assistance like medical coverage, educational and livelihood assistance extending to their family members.

Rebenque was joined by other Federation officials, namely Anthony Mercado (Vice President), Arjau Cuala (Secretary), Florinda Lasparillas (Treasurer) and Felix Brosas (Auditor).

This year’s theme: “Kaalaman at Kasanayan Para sa Kabuhayan Tungo sa Kaularan” is aimed at updating the PWDs on the latest policies and, “provide a venue where DOH and other agencies can discuss concerns, and come up with win-win solutions with the PWDs to put in place a roadmap (for PWDs) in the Region," Janairo said.

"Since dito (referring to Calabarzon) pinakamarami, magandang ma establish ang infrastructure, not necessarily the building but on policies and procedures, needed para yung lahat ng PWD, magiging PWD pa lang o ipapanganak pa lang na PWD e alam na san sila pupunta, established na ang delivery of service sa kanila. Umpisa pa lang po ito." (Since Calabarzon has the most number of PWD, it would good to establish the needed infrustructure to ensure that all existing, would be, including those who will be born PWDs will know where to go, delivery of service is already established. This is just the beginning.)

The summit is in line with the nationwide celebration of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week,” celebrated annually every 3rd week of July. ( PNA)

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