MANILA – A House of Representatives panel on Thursday approved a measure creating a national commission for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The House Special Committee on Persons with Disabilities, chaired by Negros Occidental Rep. Ma. Lourdes Arroyo, approved House Bill 6317, which seeks the creation of the National Commission for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
The panel also approved HB 6962 and HB 9413 proposing the reorganization of the National Council on Disability Affairs into the National Commission on Disability Affairs.
All three bills had been referred to a technical working group for the crafting of a consolidated version.
In her sponsorship speech, San Jose del Monte City Rep. Florida Robes, author of HB 6317, said it is the policy of the State under the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines to protect the rights of PWDs and promote their welfare and development.
Robes said the present structure of the council is ambiguous, stressing the need to give it some sort of independence and autonomy.
She also said there is a "dire need" to expand its powers and function in order to fully respond to the needs of the sector.
"The organization and administration of the main office tasked to oversee and implement the laws relating to the empowerment of persons with disabilities must be clearly defined and made responsive to the present time," Robes said.
The commission, according to HB 6317, shall be mandated to be the lead policy-making, planning, monitoring, coordinating, and advocating arm of the government in all efforts geared toward the prevention of the causes of disability, rehabilitation, and equalization of opportunities in the concept of rights-based society for PWDs.
Arroyo, who authored HB 6962, said the reorganization of the National Council on Disability Affairs to a National Commission on Disability Affairs would further strengthen the mandate of the government agency to address the concerns and needs of PWDs.
Bukidnon Rep. Manuel Zubiri, author of HB 9413, said with proper support and assistance, the PWDs can be "integrated and empowered to be productive citizens of this nation". (PNA)
