Laws Pdao

RA 10070 – Establishing Institutional Mechanism To Ensure The Implementation Of Programs And
Services For Persons With Disabilities In Every Province, City and Municipality, Amending Republic Act
No. 7277, Otherwise Known As The Magna Carta For Disabled Persons, As Amended, And For Other
Purposes
S. No. 3560
H. No. 1387
Republic of the Philippines
Congress of the Philippines
Metro Manila
Fourteenth Congress
Third Regular Session
Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-seventh day of July, two thousand and nine.
[ Republic Act No. 10070]
ESTABLISHING INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM TO ENSURE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN EVERY PROVINCE, CITY AND
MUNICIPALITY, AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MAGNA
CARTA FOR DISABLED PERSONS, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Section 40 of Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 40. Role of National Agencies and Local Government Units.
(a) Local government units shall promote the establishment of organizations of persons with disabilities
(PWDs) in their respective territorial jurisdictions. National agencies and local government units may enter
into joint ventures with organizations or associations of PWDs to explore livelihood opportunities and
other undertakings that shall enhance the health, physical fitness and the economic and social well-being
of PWDs.
(b) Local government units shall organize and establish the following:
(1) Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO)
PDAO shall be created in every province, city and municipality. The local chief executive shall appoint a
PWD affairs officer who shall manage and oversee the operations of the office, pursuant to its mandate
under this Act. Priority shall be given to qualified PWDs to head and man the said office in carrying out
the following functions:
(i) Formulate and implement policies, plans and programs for the promotion of the welfare of PWDs in
coordination with concerned national and local government agencies;
(ii) Coordinate the implementation of the provisions of this Act, Batas Pambansa Blg. 344, otherwise
known as the Accessibility Law, and other relevant laws at the local level;
(iii) Represent PWDs in meetings of local development councils and other special bodies;
(iv) Recommend and enjoin the participation of nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and people’s
organizations (POs) in the implementation of all disability-related laws and policies;
(v) Gather and compile relevant data on PWDs in their localities;
(vi) Disseminate information including, but not limited to, programs and activities for PWDs, statistics on
PWDs, including children with disability, and training and employment opportunities for PWDs;
(vii) Submit reports to the office of the local chief executive on the implementation of programs and
services for the promotion of the welfare of PWDs in their respective areas of jurisdiction;
(viii) Ensure that the policies, plans and programs for the promotion of the welfare of PWDs are funded by
both the national and local government;
(ix) Monitor fundraising activities being conducted for the benefit of PWDs;
(x) Seek donations in cash or in kind from local or foreign donors to implement an approved work plan for
PWDs, in accordance with existing laws and regulations; and
(xi) Perform such other functions as may be necessary for the promotion and protection of the welfare of
the PWDs.
(2) Focal Person
In consideration of budget restraints, local chief executives of fourth (4 th), fifth (5th) and sixth (6th) class
municipalities may, in lieu of the creation of a PDAO, designate a focal person who shall perform the
functions of the PDAO. Priority in appointment should be given to a PWD with experience in providing
services to PWDs.
The establishment of a PDAO or the appointment of a focal person, as the case may be, should be done
in consultation and coordination with the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), NGOs and POs.
SEC. 2. References to the term “Disabled Persons” on the title and other sections of the same Act are
hereby amended to read as Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
SEC. 3. Within three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act, appropriate agencies, headed by the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in consultation with the NCDA and relevant
NGOs and POs, shall review its implementation and recommend to Congress the need to mandate the
establishment of a PDAO in fourth (4th), fifth (5th) and sixth (6th) class municipalities.
SEC. 4. In order to effectively carry out the objectives of Republic Act No. 7277, the National
Government, through the DSWD, shall ensure that the annual budget includes provisions to fund
programs and provide support for PWDs.
Local government units shall likewise ensure that the necessary fund from any available local revenues is
allocated for the implementation of this Act for the benefit of PWDs in their jurisdictions.
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, and rules and regulations
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the same shall not
affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions hereof.
SEC. 7. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of
general circulation or in the Official Gazette, whichever comes first.
Approved:
Signed
PROSPERO C. NOGRALES
JUAN PONCE ENRILE
This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3560 and House Bill No. 1387 was finally passed by
the Senate and the House of Representatives on January 18, 2010 and January 26, 2010, respectively.
Signed
MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP
Secretary General House of Representatives
Signed
EMMA LIRIO-REYES
Secretary of the Senate
Approved: APRIL 06, 2010
GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President of the Philippines
RA 10366 – An Act Authorizing The Commission On Elections To Establish Precincts Assigned To

Accessible Polling Places Exclusively For Persons With Disablities And Senior Citizens
S. No. 3287
H. No. 5509
Metro Manila
Fifteenth Congress
Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-third day of July, two thousand twelve.
[REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10366]
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS TO ESTABLISH PRECINCTS ASSIGNED

TO ACCESSIBLE POLLING PLACES EXCLUSIVELY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND
SENIOR CITIZENS
SECTION. 1. Declaration of Policy. – The State shall ensure that persons with disabilities and senior
citizens are able to exercise their right to political participation without discrimination or restrictions.
Towards this end, the State shall design systems and procedures that will enable persons with disabilities
and senior citizens to register and vote by themselves.
SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the term:
(a) Commission refers to the Commission on Elections.
(b) Persons with Disabilities refer to qualified voters who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or
sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective
participation in the electoral processes on an equal basis with others.
(c) Senior Citizens refer to qualified voters who are sixty (60) years or older.
(d) Electoral Processes refer to election-related activities and proceedings including registration,
candidacy, campaign, voter education and casting of vote.
(e) Assistance refers to any support or aid that may be extended to persons with disabilities and senior
citizens for them to meaningfully and effectively participate in the electoral processes.
(f) Discrimination on the basis of disability means any distinction, exclusion or restriction on the basis of
disability which has the effect of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment, or exercise, on an
equal basis with others, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including denial of reasonable
accommodation.
(g) Universal design means the design of products, environments, programs and services, to be usable
by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design but
shall not exclude assistive devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed.
(h) Satellite registration refers to registration conducted by an Election Officer in established satellite
offices located in a public place within his or her area of jurisdiction. It accepts application for registration,
transfer or transfer with reactivation, reactivation of registration records, change or correction of entries
and validation of registration from all registrants or voters residing within the Election Officer’s territorial
jurisdiction.
(i) Special registration refers to registration conducted in established satellite offices by a special
registration team designated by the Commission. It exclusively caters to first time person with disability
and senior citizen registrants residing outside the area of jurisdiction of the regular Election Officer
conducting the satellite registration.
(j) Accessible polling place refers to the venue where the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) conducts
election-related proceedings and where the voters cast their votes. The accessible polling place shall he
located at the ground floor, preferably near the entrance of the building, and is free of any physical
barriers and provided with necessary services, including assistive devices.
SEC. 3. Right to Participation in Electoral Processes. – The State shall guarantee the political rights of
persons with disabilities and senior citizens, in line with the concept of universal design, by:
(a) Ensuring that voting procedures, facilities and materials are appropriate, accessible, and easy to
understand and use;
(b) Protecting the right of persons with disabilities and senior citizens to vote by secret ballot in elections
without intimidation, facilitating the use of assistive and new technologies where appropriate; and
(c) Guaranteeing the free expression, in the exercise of the right of suffrage, of persons with disabilities
and senior citizens, allowing assistance in voting by a person of their own choice.
SEC. 4. Duty of the Commission to Render Assistance to Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens. –
It shall be the duty of the Commission to render appropriate assistance to persons with disabilities and
senior citizens in coordination with government agencies and civil society organizations.
SEC. 5. Record of Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens. – The Commission shall keep an
updated record of persons with disabilities and senior citizens who are registered as voters, which
indicates the types of disability and the assistance they need, to assist it in determining policy directions
for more inclusive and accessible electoral processes. The record shall be made accessible to concerned
government offices, accredited citizens’ arms, civil society monitoring groups and other organizations
which promote the rights of the persons with disabilities and senior citizens, subject to specific guidelines
the Commission may promulgate to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.
SEC. 6. Registration and Updating of Records. – In designing the forms, the Commission must ensure
that persons with disabilities and senior citizens applying for registration, reactivation, transfer, or
correction of entry indicate the type(s) of disability, as well as the form(s) of assistance needed.
Persons with disabilities and senior citizens who have previously registered but have not indicated the
type of disability, or who may have developed or manifested such disability after having been registered,
shall be allowed, during the periods to file applications for registration, to update their registration records,
and to indicate the type of disability as well as the form of assistance they need during election day. The
Commission may design registration forms specifically for persons with disabilities and senior citizens, or
issue supplemental forms for the said purpose, and provide for procedures to be followed by those who
need to update their registration records.
SEC. 7. Assistance in the Accomplishment of Application Form. – A person with disability or senior citizen
who cannot by himself or herself accomplish an application for registration, by reason of illiteracy or
physical disability, shall be assisted by the Election Officer in the preparation of his or her application
form, or by any member of an accredited citizens’ arm, or by a relative by consanguinity or affinity within
the fourth civil degree, or if he or she has none present, by any person of his or her confidence who
belongs to the same household.
SEC. 8. Satellite and Special Registration. – The Commission, in coordination with national government
agencies and local government units, person with disability and senior citizen organizations, and other
cause-oriented groups, shall conduct satellite and/or special registration for persons with disabilities and
senior citizens in accessible places.
SEC. 9. Creation of Precincts for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens. – The Commission is
hereby authorized to establish precincts of a nonterritorial nature, exclusively for persons with disabilities
and senior citizens who in their registration records manifest their intent to avail of their right to a separate
precinct under this section. Pursuant hereto, the Commission shall establish at least one (1) such
precinct, assigned to accessible polling places, for every voting center. Such precincts shall be provided
with assistive devices as well as the services of experts in assisting persons with disabilities.
SEC. 10. Ballot Design. – In designing the ballot, the Commission shall ensure reasonable
accommodation to persons with disabilities and senior citizens to enable them to accomplish the ballots
by themselves.
SEC. 11. Assistance in the Accomplishment of the Ballot. – A person with disability or senior citizen who
is illiterate or physically unable to prepare the ballot by himself or herself may be assisted in the
preparation of his or her ballot by a relative by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree, or if
he or she has none, by any person of his or her confidence who belongs to the same household, or by
any member of the BEls. For this purpose, the person who usually assists the person with disability or
senior citizen, such as a personal assistant, a caregiver or a nurse shall be considered a member of his or
her household: Provided, That no voter shall be allowed to have an assistor on the basis of illiteracy or
physical disability unless it is so indicated in his or her registration record. Nevertheless, if the physical
inability to prepare the ballot is manifest, obvious, or visible, said voter shall be allowed to be assisted in
accomplishing the ballot by a qualified assistor, even if not stated or indicated in the registration record:
Provided, further, That the assistor must be of voting age.
The assistor shall hind himself or herself in a formal document under oath to fill out the ballot strictly in
accordance with the instructions of the voter and not to reveal the contents of the ballot prepared by him
or her, and shall prepare the ballot for the voter inside the voting booth. Except for the members of the
BEIs, no assistor can assist for more than three (3) times. Any violation of this provision shall constitute
an election offense punishable under Section 262 of the Omnibus Election Code.
SEC. 12. Sensitivity Training Program. – The Commission, in coordination with the National Council on
Disability Affairs (NCDA), the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), and person with disability and senior
citizen organizations, shall organize, design, and implement sensitivity trainings to persons performing
electoral duties, including the Commission field officers, members of the BEIs, and accredited citizens’
arms to familiarize them with the needs of the persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
SEC. 13. Information Materials. – The Commission shall ensure that information materials relating to the
electoral processes are appropriate and accessible to persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
SEC. 14. Appropriations. – The initial funding of this Act shall be charged against, the current year’s
appropriations or from any available savings of the Commission. Thereafter, such amount as may be
necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall he included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.
SEC. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the
Commission shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations.
SEC. 16. Separability Clause. – Should any provision of this Act he declared invalid or unconstitutional,
the validity or constitutionality of the other provisions shall not be affected thereby.
SEC. 17. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, resolutions, rules and
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.
SEC. 18. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2013, after its publication in two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
(Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.
Speaker of the House
of Representatives
(Sgd.) JUAN PONCE ENRILE
President of the Senate
the Senate and the House of Representatives on December 19, 2012.
(Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP
Secretary General
House of Representatives
(Sgd.) EMMA LIRIO-REYES
Approved: FEB 15 2013
(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
RA 10372 – An Act Amending Certain Provisions Of Republic Act No. 8293, Otherwise Known As The
“Intellectual Property Code Of The Philippines”. And For Other Purposes
Metro Manila
Fifteenth Congress
[Republic Act No. 10372]
AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8293, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CODE OF
THE PHILIPPINES”. AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
SECTION 1. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 8293, otherwise known as the “Intellectual Property Code of
the Philippines”,
“SEC. 6. The Organization Structure of the IPO.
“6.2. The Office shall be divided into seven (7)
Bureaus, each of which shall be headed by a Director and assisted by an Assistant Director. These
Bureaus are:
“(f) The administrative. Financial and Personnel Services Bureaus and
“(g) The Bureaus of Copyright and Other Related Rights.”
Sec. 2. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 8293 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“Sec. 7. The Director General and Deputies Director General.
“(b) Exercise exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all decisions rendered by the Director of Legal Affairs,
the Director of Patents, the Director of Trademarks, the Director of Copyright and Other Related Rights,
and the Director of the Documentation, Information and Technology Transfer Bureau. The decisions of
the Director General in the exercise of his appellate jurisdiction in respect of the decision of the Direction
of Patents, the Director of Trademarks and Director of Copyright and Other Related Rights shall be
appealable of the Court of Appeals in accordance with the rules of Court; and those in respect of the
decisions of the Director of the Documentation, Information and Technology Transfer Bureau shall be
appealable to the Secretary of Trade and Industry;
“(c) Undertake enforcement functions supported by concerned agencies such as the Philippine National
Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Customs, the Optical media Board, and the
local government units, among others;
“(d) Conduct visits during reasonable hours to establishments and businesses engaging in activities
violating intellectual property rights and provisions of this act based on report, information or complaint
received by the office; and
“(e) Such other functions in furtherance of protecting IP rights and objectives of this Act.”
Sec. 3. A new Section 9A is hereby inserted after section 9 of Republic Act No. 8293, to read as follows:
“Sec. 9A. The Bureau of Copyright and Other Related Rights. The Bureau of Copyright and Other Related
Rights shall have the following functions:
“9A. 1. Exercise original jurisdiction to resolve disputes relating to the terms of a license involving the
author’s right to public performance or other communication of his work;
“9A. 2. Accept, review and decide on application for the accreditation of collective management
organization or similar entities;
“9A. 3. Conduct studies and researches in the field of copyright and related rights; and
“9A. 4. Provide other copyright and related rights service and charge reasonable fees therefore.”
Sec. 4. Section 171.3. of Republic Act No. 8293 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“Sec. 171. Definitions.
“171.3 ‘Communication to the public or communicate to the public’ means any communication to the
public, including broadcasting, rebroadcasting, retransmitting by cable, broadcasting and retransmitting by
satellite, and includes the making of a work available to the public by wire or wireless means in such a
way that members of the public may access these works from a place and time individually chosen by
them.”
“171.9. “Reproduction is the making of one (1) or more copies, temporary or permanent in whole or in
part, of a work or a sound recording in any manner or form without prejudice to the provisions of Section
185 of this Act (Sec. 41[E]. P.D. No. 49a)”
Sec. 6. These shall be two new subsections to be added at the end of Section 171.11. to be known as
171.2 and 171.13. both to read as follows:
“171.12 ‘Technological measure’ means any technology, device or component that in the normal courses
of its operation, restricts acts in respect of a work, performance or sound recording, which are not
authorized by the authors, performers or producers of sound recordings concerned or permitted by law;
“171.3. ‘Rights management information’ means information which identifies the work , sound recording or
performance ; the author of the work, producer of the sound recording or performer of the performance;
the owner of any right in the work, sound recording or information about the terms and conditions of the
use of the work, sound recording or performance; and any number or code that represent such
information when any of these items is attached to a copy of the works , sound recording or fixation or
performance or appears in conjunction with the communication to the public of a work, sound recording or
performance.”
Sec. 7. The Chapter Title of Chapter VII, Part IV, the Law on Copyright, is hereby amended to read as
follows:
CHAPTER VII
“TRANSFER ASSIGNMENT AND LICENSING OF COPYRIGHT”
“Sec. 180. Rights of Assignee of Licensee 180.1. The copyright may be assigned of licensed in whole or
in part within the scope of the assignment or license, the assignee or licensee is entitled to all the rights
and remedies which the assignor or licensor had with respect to the copyright.
“180.2. The copyright is not deemed assigned or licensed inter vivos, in whole or in part, unless there is a
written indication of such intention.
“180.4. Any exclusivity in the economic rights in a work may be exclusively licensed. Within the scope of
the exclusive license the licensee is entitled to all the rights and remedies which the licensor had with
respect to the copyright.
“180.5. The copyright owner has the right to regular statement of accounts from the assignee or the
licensee with regard to assigned or licensed work..”
“Sec. 9. Section 181 of Republic Act No. 8293 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“Sec. 181. Copyright and Material Object. The copyright is distinct from the property in the material object
subject to it. Consequently the transfer assignment or licensing of the copyright shall not itself constitute a
transfer of the material object. Nor shall a transfer or assignment of the sole copy or of one or several
copies of the work imply transfer assignment or licensing of the copyright (Sec. 16. P.D. No. 49)”
Sec. 10. Section 183 Republic Act No. 8293 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“Sec. 183. Designation of Society. The owners of copyright and related rights or their heirs may designate
a society of artists, writer, composers, and other right-holders to collectively manage their economic or
moral rights on their behalf. For the said societies to enforce the rights on their members, they shall be
first secure the necessary accreditation from the Intellectual Property Office. (Sec. 32. P.D No. 49a)”
Sec. 11. Section 184. 1. Of Republic act No. 8293 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“Sec. 184. Limitation on Copyright.
“(1) The reproduction or distribution of published articles or materials in a specialized format exclusively
for the use of the blind, visually and reading-impaired persons: Provided, That such copies and
distribution shall be made on a nonprofit basis and shall indicate the copyright owner and the date of the
original publication.”
“Sec. 12. Section 185.1. of Republic Act No. 8293 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“Sec. 185. Fair Use of Copyrighted Work. 185.1. The fair use of a copyrighted work for criticism,
comment, news reporting, teaching including limited number of copies for the classroom use, scholarship,
researched, and similar purposes is not an infringement of copyright. DE compilation ,which is understood
here to be the production of the code and translation of the form of a computer program to achieve the
interoperability of an independently created computer program with other programs may also constitute
fair use under the criteria established by this section, to the extent that such de compilation is done for the
purpose of obtaining the information necessary to achieve such interoperability.
”Sec. 13. Section 188. Reproduction by Libraries. 188.1. Notwithstanding the provision of Subsection
177.1., any library or achieve whose activities are not for profit may, without the authorization of the
author or copyright owner, make a limited number of copies of the work, as may be necessary for such
institutions to fulfill their mandate, by reprographic reproduction:
“(c) Where the making of such limited copies is in order to preserve and, if necessary in the event that is
lost, destroyed or rendered unusable, replace a copy, or to replace, in the permanent collection of another
similar library or achieve, a copy which has been lost, destroyed or rendered unusable and copies are not
available with the publisher.”
Sec. 14. Section 190.1. and 190.2. of Republic Act No. 8293 are deleted in their entirety.
Sec.15. Section 190.3. of Republic Act No. 8293 hereby renumbered and amended as the sole provision
under section 190 to read as follows:
“Sec. 190. Importation and Exportation of Infringing Materials. Subject to the approval of the Secretary of
Finance, the Commissioner of Customs is hereby empowered to make rules and regulations for
preventing the importation or exportation of infringing articles prohibited under Part IV of this Act and
under relevant treaties and convention to which the Philippines may be a part and seizing and
condemning and disposing of the same in case they are discovered after they have been imported or
before they exported. (Sec. 30. P.D. No. 49)”
“Sec. 191. Deposit and Notice of Deposit with the National Library and the Supreme Court Library. At any
time during the subsistence of the copyright, the owner of the copyright or of any exclusive right in the
work may, for the purpose of completing the records of the National Library and the Supreme Court
Library, register and deposit with them, by personal delivery or by registered mail, two (2) copies or
reproductions of the work such form as Directors of said libraries may prescribe in accordance with
regulations: Provided, That only works in a field of law shall be deposited with the Supreme Court Library.
Such registration and deposit is not a condition of copyright protection.”
“Sec. 198. Term of Moral Rights. – 198.1. The right of an author under Section 193.1 shall last during of
the lifetime of the author and in perpetuity after his death while the rights under Section 193.2. 193.3 and
193.4 shall be coterminous with the economics rights, the moral rights shall not be assignable or subject
to license. The person or persons to be charge with the posthumous enforcement of these rights shall be
named in a written instrument which shall be filed with the National Library. In default of such person or
persons, such enforcement shall devolve upon either the author’s heirs, and in default of the heirs, the
Director of the National Library.”
”203.2. The right of authorizing the direct or indirect reproduction of their performances fixed in sound
recording or audiovisual works or fixations in any manner of form;
“203.3 Subject to the provisions of Section 206. The right of authorizing the first public distribution of the
original and copies of their performance fixed in sound recording or audiovisual works or fixations through
sale or rental of other forms of transfer of ownership;
“203.4. The right of authorizing the commercial rental to the public of the original and copies of their
performances fixed in sound recordings or audiovisual works or fixations, even after distribution of them
by or pursuant to the authorization by the performer and;
“203.5. The right of authorizing the making available to the public of their performances fixed in sound
recordings or audiovisual works or fixations by wire or wireless means, in such a way that member of the
public access them from a place and time individually chosen by them (Sec. 42 P.D No. 49A).”
Sec. 19 Section 204.1 of Republic Act No. 8293 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“204.1. Independently of a performer’s economic rights, the performer shall, as regards his live aural
performance or performances fixed in sound recordings or audiovisual works or fixations, have the rights
to claim to be to be identified as the performer of his performances, except where the omission is dictated
by the manner of the use of performance, and to object to any distortion, mutilation or other modification
of is performances that would be prejudicial to his reputation.”
“Sec. 20. Section 208 of Republic Act No. 8293 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“Sec. 208. Scope of Right.
“208.4. The right to authorize the making available to the public of their sound recordings in such a way
that member of the public may access the sound recording from a place and at a time individually chosen
or selected by them, as well as other transmissions of a sound recording with like effect.”
Sec. 21. Section 212 of Republic Act No. 8293 hereby amended to read as follows:
“Sec. 212. Limitation on Rights. – The provisions of chapter VIII shall apply mutatis mulandis to the rights
of performers, producers of sound recordings and broadcasting organizations.”
“Sec. 22 Section 216 of Republic Act No. 8293 hereby amended to read as follows:
“Sec. 216. Infringement. – A person infringes a right protected under this Act when one:
“(a) Directly commits an infringement;
“(b) Benefits of the infringing activity of another person who commits an infringement if the person
benefiting has been giving notice of the infringing activity and has the right and ability to control the
activities of the other person;
“(c) With knowledge of infringing activity induces, cause or materially contributes to the infringing conduct
of another.
“216.1. Remedies for infringements. – Any person infringing a right protected under this law shall be
liable.
“(b) To pay the copyright proprietor or his assigns or heirs such actual damages, including legal costs and
other expenses as he may have incurred due to the infringement as well as the profits the infringer may
have made due to such infringement, and improving profits the plaintiff shall be required to prove sales
only and the defendant shall be required to prove very element cost which he claims or, in lieu of actual
damage and profits, such damages which to the court shall appear to be just and shall not be regarded as
penalty: Provided. That the amount of damages to be awarded shall be doubled against any person who:
“(i) Circumvents affective technological measures; or
“(ii) Having reasonable grounds to know that it will induce, enable, facilitate or conceal the infringement,
remove or alter any electronic rights management information from a copy of a work, sound recording, or
fixation of a performance or distribute import for the distribution ,broadcast, or communicate to the public
works or copies of works without authority, knowing that electronic rights management information has
been removed or altered without authority.
“The copyright owner may elect, at any time before final judgment is rendered to recover instead of actual
damages and profits an award of statutory damages for all infringements involved in an action in a sum
equivalent to the filing fee of the infringement action but no less than Fifty thousand pesos
(PHp50,000.00). In awarding statutory damages the court may consider the following factors:
“(1) The nature and purpose of the infringing act;
“(2) The flagrancy of the infringement;
“(3) Whether the defendant acted in bad faith;
“(4) The need for deterrence;
“(5) Any loss that the plaintiff has suffered or is a likely to suffer by reason of the infringement; and
“(6) Any benefits shown to have accrued to the defendant by reason of the infringement.
“In case the infringer was not aware and had no reason to believe that his acts constitute an infringement
of copyright, the court in its discretion may reduce the award of statutory damages to a sum of not more
than Ten thousand pesos (PHp10,000.00): Provided. That the amount of damages to be awarded shall be
double against any person who:
“(i) Circumvents effective technological measures; or
“(ii) Having reasonable ground to know that it will induce, enable, facilitate or conceal the infringement,
remove or alter any electronic rights management information from a copy of a work, sound recording, or
fixation of a performance, or distribute import for distribution, broadcast, or communicate to the public
works or copies of works without authority, knowing that electronic rights management information has
been removed or altered without authority.
“216.2. In an infringement action, the court shall also have the power to order the seizure and impounding
of any article which may serve as evidence in the proceedings, in accordance with the rules on search
and seizure involving violations of intellectual property rights issued by the Supreme Court. (Sec. 28. P.D
No. 49a)
“The foregoing shall not preclude an independent suit for relief by the injured party by way of damages.
Injunction, accounts or otherwise.”
“217.2. In determining the number of years of imprisonment and the amount of fine, the court shall
consider the value of the infringing materials that the defendant has produced or manufactured and the
damage that the copyright owner has suffered by reason of the infringement: Provided. That the
respected maximum penalty stated in Section 271.1. (a), (b) and (c) herein for the first, second third and
subsequent offense, shall be imposed when the infringement is committed by:
“(a) The circumvention of effective technological measures;
“(b) The removal or alteration of any electronic rights management information from a copy of a work,
sound recording or fixation of a performance by a person knowingly and without authority; or
“(c) The distribution, importation for distribution, broadcasting, or communication to the public of works or
copies of works, by a person without authority knowing that electronic rights management information has
been removed or altered without authority.”
“Sec. 218. Affidavit Evidence.
“(c) The copy of the work or other subject matter annexed thereto is a true copy thereof.
“The affidavit shall be admitted in evidence in any proceeding under this Chapter and shall be prima facie
proof of the matters therein stated until the contrary is proved, and the court before which such affidavit is
produces shall assume that the affidavit was made by or on behalf of the owner of the copyright.”
Sec. 25. A new Section 220A shall be inserted after Section 220.2 of Republic Act No. 8293 to read
amended as follows:
“Sec 22A. Disclosure of Information. – Where any article or its packaging or an implement for making it is
seized or detained under a valid search and seizure under this Act is, or is reasonably suspected to be by
any authorized enforcement officer in violation of this Act, the said officer shall wherever reasonably
practicable notify the owner of the copyright in question or his authorized agent of the seizure or detention
as the case may be.”
“Sec. 226. Damages. – No damages may be recovered under this Act after the lapse of four (4) years
from the time the cause of action arose. (Sec. 58. P.D No. 49).”
Sec. 27. Chapter XX of Republic Act No. 8293 is hereby amended by adding a new section at the end
thereof to be denominated as Section 230, to read as follows:
“Sec. 230. Adoption of Intellectual Property (IP) Policies. – Schools and universities shall adopt
intellectual property policies that would govern the use and creation of intellectual property with the
purpose of safeguarding in the intellectual creations of the learning institution and its employees, and
adopting locally-established industry practice fair use guidelines. These policies may be developed in
relation to licensing agreements entered into by the learning institution with the collective licensing
organization.”
Sec. 28. Section 230 of Republic Act No. 8293 is hereby renumbered as Section 231, all succeeding
sections of the same Act are hereby renumbered accordingly.
Sec. 29. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within on hundred eighty (180) days from the effective of
this Act, the Intellectual Property Office, in consultation with the National Book Development Board, the
National Library, the Supreme Court Library and other relevant agencies, shall promulgate the regulations
necessary to effectively implement the provision of this Act.
Sec. 30. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances or regulations inconsistent
which the provisions of this Act hereby revised or amended accordingly.
Sec. 31. Reparability Clause.- If any part of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid such parts or
provisions thereof not so declared shall remain valid and subsisting.
Sec. 32. Effectivity Clause.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two
(2)
Newspapers of general circulation.
Approved.
ORIGINAL SIGNED
FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.
Speaker of the House of Representatives
ORIGINAL SIGNED
JUAN PONCE ENRILE
the Senate and the House of Representatives on December 11, 2012 and November 26, 2012,
respectively.
ORIGINAL SIGNED
Secretary General
ORIGINAL SIGNED
EMMA LIRIO-REYES
Approved:
ORIGNIAL SIGNED
BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
RA 10524 – An Act Expanding The Positions Reserved For Persons With Disability, Amending For The
Purpose Republic Act No. 7277, As Amended, Otherwise Known As The Magna Carta For Persons With
Disability
S. No. 3371
H. No. 5475
Metro Manila
Fifteenth Congress
AN ACT EXPANDING THE POSITIONS RESERVED FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
MAGNA CARTA FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY
SECTION 1. Equal Opportunity for Employment. – Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, is
hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 5. Equal Opportunity for Employment. – No person with disability shall be denied access to
opportunities for suitable employment. A qualified employee with disability shall be subject to the same
terms and conditions of employment and the same compensation, privileges, benefits, fringe benefits,
incentives or allowances as a qualified able bodied person.
“At least one percent (1%) of all positions in all government agencies, offices or corporal ions shall be
reserved for persons with disability: Provided, That private corporations with more than one hundred (100)
employees are encouraged to reserve at least one percent (1%) of all positions for persons with
disability.”
SEC. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the
Civil Service Commission (CSC), the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), the Governance
Commission for Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations (GCG), the Department of Health
(DOH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Bureau of Internal Revenue
(BIR), in consultation with the concerned Senate and House committees and other agencies,
organizations and establishments shall formulate an implementing rules and regulations pertinent to the
provisions of this Act within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 3. Separability Clause. – Should any provision of this Act be found unconstitutional by a court of
law, such provision shall be severed from the remainder of this Act, and such action shall not affect the
enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Act.
SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, and rides and regulations
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 5. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall lake effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in any two (2)
Approved,
(Sgd.)
FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.
of Representatives
(Sgd.)
JUAN PONCE ENRILE
the Senate and the House of Representatives on February 4, 2013 and February 5, 2013, respectively.
(Sgd.)
Secretary General
(Sgd.)
EDWIN B. BELLEN
Acting Senate Secretary
Approved: APR 23 2013
(Sgd.)
BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
RA 10747 – AN ACT PROMULGATING A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY IN ADDRESSING THE NEEDS
OF PERSONS WITH RARE DISEASE
AN ACT PROMULGATING A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY IN ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF
PERSONS WITH RARE DISEASE
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Rare Diseases Act of the Philippines”.
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health of
the people, including the right of persons suffering from rare diseases to survival and full and healthy
development as individuals through access to timely health information and adequate medical care. In
pursuit of such policy, the State shall institutionalize a system that is comprehensive, integrative and
sustainable and will facilitate collaboration among government and nongovernment agencies and
organizations at the national and local levels, private sector, professional health organizations, academic
institutions, communities and families towards the provision of early and sustainable care of persons
afflicted with rare disease. The State recognizes the crucial role of research in defining health programs
and activities to address the needs of patients with rare disease. The State also recognizes that an
effective public education program is vital in helping ensure the early diagnosis and treatment of rare
disorders and in preventing those afflicted with them from being the subject of ridicule and stigmatization.
SEC. 3. Objectives. — The objectives of this Act are as follows:
(a) Improve the access of patients diagnosed to have a rare disease or patients highly suspected of
having a rare disease to comprehensive medical care, including drugs and other healthcare products to
treat or otherwise, as well as timely health information to help them cope with their condition by:
(1) Establishing a comprehensive and sustainable healthcare system integrated within the public
healthcare delivery system for early and sustainable care for patients suffering from rare diseases;
(2) Establishing and maintaining the Rare Disease Registry which shall include data on rare diseases in
the Philippines, patients afflicted with rare diseases, and orphan drugs and orphan products. This data
shall be utilized in formulating policies, identifying program interventions and designing researches to
address the needs of patients with rare disease;
(3) Integrating public educational and information campaigns in the current programs of the Department of
Health (DOH) to identify persons afflicted with rare disease and help the public understand the special
needs of such persons; and
(4) Facilitating the regular collaborative activities among stakeholders regarding the realization of the
objectives of this Act.
(b) Provide regulatory and fiscal incentives to support research and development studies on rare diseases
and to facilitate the manufacture and importation of affordable orphan drugs and orphan products.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITION OF TERMS
SEC. 4. Definitions. — For the purpose of this Act, the following terms shall be defined as follows:
(a) Commercial use refers to the selling of orphan drugs at profit.
(b) Healthcare Practitioner refers to any doctor of medicine, dentist, nurse, midwife, allied health
professional and other healthcare professional duly licensed by the Professional Regulatory Commission.
(c) Healthcare institutions refer to hospitals, health infirmaries, health centers, lying-in centers or
puericulture centers, whether public or private.
(d) Medical care refers to a comprehensive and professional care that encompasses correct diagnosis,
treatment and prevention of rare diseases.
(e) Medical food refers to special milk formula devoid of offending amino acids, organic acids or fatty
acids, amino acid supplements, essential amino acid mixtures, amino acid gels or juices, and low protein
food products that are part of the regimen for the medical treatment of patients with inherited metabolic
diseases.
(f) Medical specialist refers to a pediatrician for patients zero to eighteen (0-18) years old or adult
physician for above eighteen (18) years old adequately trained by experts in the field of inherited
metabolic diseases to diagnose and treat patients with rare diseases.
(g) National Comprehensive Newborn Screening System refers to the Newborn Screening (NBS) system
established in Republic Act No. 9288 that includes, but is not limited to: (i) education of relevant
stakeholders; (ii) collection, transport, biochemical screening, and reporting on result of blood samples
taken from newborns; (iii) tracking and confirmatory testing to ensure the accuracy of screening results;
(iv) clinical evaluation and biochemistry/medical confirmation of follow-up results; (v) administration of
drugs and/or medical and surgical management and/or dietary supplementation to counter adverse
effects of the heritable conditions; and (vi) monitoring and evaluation of the National Comprehensive
Newborn Screening System.
(h) Newborn screening continuity clinic refers to an ambulatory clinic based in a secondary or tertiary
hospital identified by the DOH to be part of the National Comprehensive Newborn Screening System
Treatment Network. It is equipped to facilitate continuity of care of patients confirmed with conditions
included in the expanded newborn screening in its area of coverage.
(i) Orphan drug refers to any drug or medicine used to treat or alleviate the symptoms of persons afflicted
with a rare disease and declared as such by the DOH upon recommendation of the National Institutes of
Health (NIH).
(j) Orphan product refers to any healthcare or nutritional product, other than a drug or medicine, including,
but not limited to, diagnostic kits, medical devices and biological products, used to prevent, diagnose, or
treat rare diseases and declared as such by the DOH upon recommendation of the NIH.
(k) Rare disease refers to disorders such as inherited metabolic disorders and other diseases with similar
rare occurrence as recognized by the DOH upon recommendation of the NIH but excluding catastrophic
(i.e., life threatening, seriously debilitating, or serious and chronic) forms of more frequently occurring
diseases.
(l) Rare Disease Management Program refers to a comprehensive management program encompassing
the diagnosis, clinical management, genetic counseling and drug research development for people with
rare diseases.
(m) Rare Disease Registry refers to the secure health information system, including the electronic
database system, relating to data on rare diseases, persons with rare disease, and orphan drugs and
orphan products.
(n) Rare Diseases Technical Working Group (RDTWG) refers to the DOH designated pool of experts on
rare diseases, which shall include experts from the NIH, tasked with identifying rare diseases, orphan
drugs and orphan products.
(o) Telegenetics Referral System refers to telehealth using a computer network system that provides
remote genetic clinical consultations to physicians in the provinces for their patients.
ARTICLE III
IDENTIFICATION, REFERRAL, MANAGEMENT
AND REGISTRATION OF PERSONS WITH RARE DISEASE
SEC. 5. Identification of Persons with Rare Disease. — The DOH, in coordination with the NIH, shall
create a Rare Disease Registry. It shall endeavor to comply with set global standards, if applicable. All
patients diagnosed with rare disease shall be included in this registry.
SEC. 6. Referral of Patients with Rare Disease. — Patients highly suspected of, or diagnosed with, rare
disease shall be referred to a newborn screening continuity clinic identified by the DOH as referral centers
for treatment of rare diseases under the National Comprehensive Newborn Screening System. For
patients from remote areas, the Telegenetics Referral System will be utilized.
SEC. 7. Availability of Specialist for the Management of Persons with Rare Disease. — The DOH, with
the assistance of the NIH, shall develop a system to train a sufficient number of medical specialists to
diagnose and manage persons with rare disease.
SEC. 8. Management of Persons with Rare Disease. — The DOH, with the assistance of the NIH, shall
provide persons with rare disease better access to a support system through the creation of a Rare
Disease Management Program under the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control of the
DOH.
SEC. 9. Registration of Persons with Rare Disease. — All healthcare practitioners and health institutions
shall be required to report to the Rare Disease Registry diagnosed cases of rare disease and provide
reports on the status of patients: Provided, That such reports shall be subject to guidelines issued by the
NIH to protect the privacy of patients with rare disease.
ARTICLE IV
PERSONS WITH RARE DISEASE AS PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES (PWDs)
SEC. 10. Designation of Persons with Rare Disease as Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). — Persons with
rare disease shall be considered as persons with disabilities (PWDs), in accordance with Republic Act
No. 7277, as amended, or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.
SEC. 11. Rights and Privileges of Persons with Rare Disease. — The appropriate national government
agency shall ensure that they are accorded the same rights and privileges as PWDs, to wit:
(a) The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall provide assistance to persons with
rare disease to ensure that their social welfare and benefits provided under Republic Act No. 7277, as
amended, or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, are granted; and
(b) The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall adopt programs that promote the availability
of opportunities for work and employment of able-persons with rare disease.
ARTICLE V
DESIGNATION OF RARE DISEASE, ORPHAN DRUG, AND
ORPHAN PRODUCT STATUS
SEC. 12. The Rare Disease Technical Working Group (RDTWG). — The DOH shall convene the RDTWG
which shall have the following roles and responsibilities:
(a) Determine what disorder or disease shall be considered as a rare disease, and what are the orphan
drugs and orphan products, and update the list periodically;
(b) Formulate policies that shall regulate the approval and certification of orphan drugs and orphan
products; and
(c) Establish a system to ensure the regular updating of information, diagnosis and treatment of rare
diseases in order to provide for the comprehensive healthcare of these patients.
SEC. 13. Designation of Rare Disease. — The DOH, upon recommendation of the RDTWG, shall have
the authority to designate any disease that is recognized to rarely afflict the population of the country as a
rare disease.
SEC. 14. Designation of Orphan Drug. — The DOH, motu proprio or upon application by any interested
person, and with the recommendation of the RDTWG, may designate any drug or medicine indicated for
use by patients afflicted with any of the rare diseases as an orphan drug. Within one hundred twenty
(120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall publish a list of orphan drugs for these rare
diseases.
SEC. 15. Designation of Orphan Product. — The DOH, motu proprio or upon application by any
interested person, and with the recommendation of the RDTWG, may designate any healthcare or
nutritional product, other than a drug or medicine, including, but not limited to, diagnostic kits, medical
devices and biological products, used primarily to prevent, diagnose, or alleviate the symptoms of rare
diseases as an orphan product. Within one hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the
DOH shall publish a list of orphan products for these rare diseases.
SEC. 16. Permit for Restricted Use of an Orphan Drug/Orphan Product. — Any person may import any
orphan drug/orphan product for compassionate use: Provided, That they secure a compassionate special
permit from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in accordance with DOH Administrative Order No. 4,
series of 1992, and any future guidelines that may be issued on the same.
Within thirty (30) days from receipt of the requirements, the FDA shall issue a permit for restricted use of
an orphan drug/orphan product which shall be effective for a period of three (3) years, renewable for a
period of three (3) years thereafter: Provided, That the FDA shall expedite the said permit in cases of
emergency.
ARTICLE VI
IMPLEMENTATION
SEC. 17. Lead Agency. – The DOH shall be the lead agency in the implementation of this Act. For
purposes of achieving the objectives of this Act, the DOH shall:
(a) Establish the RDTWG as defined m Section 4(n);
(b) Coordinate with the NIH for the technical assistance in the implementation of this Act;
(c) Coordinate with all government and nongovernment agencies that are involved in the implementation
of this Act;
(d) Support the activities of the newborn screening continuity clinics and designate referral centers in
strategic locations in the country for the timely and sustainable medical management of persons with rare
disease;
(e) Organize a pool of medical specialists who will be responsible in the diagnosis and management of
persons afflicted with rare disease and their families;
(f) With the assistance of the NIH and other government agencies, professional societies and
nongovernment organizations, conduct culturally sensitive public educational and information campaigns
on the nature of rare diseases, identify persons with rare disease and help the general public understand
the special needs of afflicted persons and their right against ridicule and discrimination;
(g) Develop the implementing rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act within one hundred
eighty (180) days from the enactment of this Act; and
(h) Allot budget for the implementation of this Act.
SEC. 18. Other Implementing Agencies. — The FDA, NIH, Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG), Department of Education (DepED), DSWD, DOLE, Department of Science and
Technology (DOST), and other relevant government agencies shall have the following tasks:
(a) FDA shall ensure that medical foods, orphan drugs and orphan products are permitted in the country
for purposes of treating rare diseases and shall develop a system that addresses emergency cases, as
they may arise;
(b) NIH shall provide technical assistance to the DOH in the implementation of this Act;
(c) DILG, DepED, DSWD and DOLE shall ensure that persons with rare disease are given the opportunity
to be productive members of society and that they are given the same rights and benefits as PWDs;
(d) DOST shall provide mechanisms to further research for a better understanding of rare diseases in the
country and develop low cost medical foods and orphan products for the patients; and
(e) All other relevant government agencies shall assist in the full implementation of this Act.
SEC. 19. Obligation of Healthcare Practitioners. — A healthcare practitioner who attends to a person with
rare disease has the responsibility of informing the patient and their family of available resources and
refer them to the nearest available specialist.
SEC. 20. Continuing Education and Training of Health Personnel. — The DOH and the NIH, together with
health professional societies and academic healthcare institutions, shall:
(a) Conduct continuing education, information, and training programs for healthcare practitioners on the
identification and referral of persons with rare disease for medical management; and
(b) Educate healthcare practitioners on the importance of reporting cases to the Rare Disease Registry.
ARTICLE VII
RESOURCE GENERATION AND FISCAL INCENTIVES
SEC. 21. Financial Assistance for Persons with Rare Disease. — A person with rare disease may avail of
the following:
(a) Basic benefit package from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, which shall be provided in
accordance with its guidelines; and
(b) Medical assistance as provided in Section 8 of Republic Act No. 10351 or the Sin Tax Reform Act of
2012.
SEC. 22. Fiscal Incentives. – The following shall be exempted from all taxes and customs duties, as
applicable, whether national or local:
(a) Donations intended for researches on rare diseases, maintenance of the Rare Disease Registry, or for
purchase of orphan drugs or orphan products for use solely by patients with rare diseases; and
(b) Orphan drugs and orphan products for use solely by patients with rare diseases, as certified by the
FDA.
ARTICLE VIII
FINAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 23. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — Within one hundred eighty (180) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DOH, in consultation with the NIH, shall issue the IRR of this Act.
SEC. 24. Repealing Clause. — All general and special laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations
and administrative regulations, or any part or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 25. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason or reasons, any part or provision of this Act shall be
declared or held to be unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
SEC. 26. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2)
Approved,
(Sgd.) FRANKLIN M. DRILON
of Representatives
Senate Bill No. 2990, which was approved by the Senate on December 14, 2015, was adopted as an
amendment to House Bill No. 5973 on December 15, 2015.
(Sgd.) OSCAR G. YABES
Secretary General
Approved: MAR 03 2016
RA 10754 – An Act Expanding The Benefits And Priviledges Of Persons With Disability (PWD)
Republic Act No. 10754
Metro Manila
Sixteenth Congress
Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-seventh day of July, two thousand fifteen.
AN ACT EXPANDING THE BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITY (PWD)
SECTION 1. Section 32 of Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for
Persons with Disability”, is hereby further amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 32. Persons with disability shall be entitled to:
“(a) At least twenty percent (20%) discount and exemption from the value-added tax (VAT), if applicable,
on the following sale of goods and services for the exclusive use and enjoyment or availment of the PWD:
“(1) On the fees and charges relative to the utilization of all services in hotels and similar lodging
establishments; restaurants and recreation centers;
“(2) On admission fees charged by theaters, cinema houses, concert halls, circuses, carnivals and other
similar places of culture, leisure and amusement;
“(3) On the purchase of medicines in all drugstores;
“(4) On medical and dental services including diagnostic and laboratory fees such as, but not limited to, x-
rays, computerized tomography scans and blood tests, and professional fees of attending doctors in all
government facilities, subject to the guidelines to be issued by the Department of Health (DOH), in
coordination with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth);
“(5) On medical and dental services including diagnostic and laboratory fees, and professional fees of
attending doctors in all private hospitals and medical facilities, in accordance with the rules and
regulations to be issued by the DOH, in coordination with the PhilHealth;
“(6) On fare for domestic air and sea travel;
“(7) On actual fare for land transportation travel such as, but not limited to, public utility buses or jeepneys
(PUBs/PUJs), taxis, asian utility vehicles (AUVs), shuttle services and public railways, including light Rail
Transit (LRT), Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Philippine National Railways (PNR); and
“(8) On funeral and burial services for the death of the PWD: Provided, That the beneficiary or any person
who shall shoulder the funeral and burial expenses of the deceased PWD shall claim the discount under
this rule for the deceased PWD upon presentation of the death certificate. Such expenses shall cover the
purchase of casket or urn, embalming, hospital morgue, transport of the body to intended burial site in the
place of origin, but shall exclude obituary publication and the cost of the memorial lot.
“(b) Educational assistance to PWD, for them to pursue primary, secondary, tertiary, post tertiary, as well
as vocational or technical education, in both public and private schools, through the provision of
scholarships, grants, financial aids, subsidies and other incentives to qualified PWD, including support for
books, learning materials, and uniform allowance to the extent feasible: Provided, That PWD shall meet
the minimum admission requirements;
“(c) To the extent practicable and feasible, the continuance of the same benefits and privileges given by
the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), and Pag-IBIG, as the
case may be, as are enjoyed by those in actual service;
“(d) To the extent possible, the government may grant special discounts in special programs for PWD on
purchase of basic commodities, subject to the guidelines to be issued for the purpose by the Department
of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA); and
“(e) Provision of express lanes for PWD in all commercial and government establishments; in the absence
thereof, priority shall be given to them.
“The abovementioned privileges are available only to PWD who are Filipino citizens upon submission of
any of the following as proof of his/her entitlement thereto:
“(i) An identification card issued by the city or municipal mayor or the barangay captain of the place where
the PWD resides;
“(ii) The passport of the PWD concerned; or
“(iii) Transportation discount fare Identification Card (ID) issued by the National Council for the Welfare of
Disabled Persons (NCWDP).
“The privileges may not be claimed if the PWD claims a higher discount as may be granted by the
commercial establishment and/or under other existing laws or in combination with other discount
program/s.
“The establishments may claim the discounts granted in subsection (a), paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (5), (6),
(7), and (8) as tax deductions based on the net cost of the goods sold or services rendered: Provided,
however, That the cost of the discount shall be allowed as deduction from the gross income for the same
taxable year that the discount is granted: Provided, further, That the total amount of the claimed tax
deduction net of value-added tax, if applicable, shall be included in their gross sales receipts for tax
purposes and shall be subject to proper documentation and to the provisions of the National Internal
Revenue Code (NIRC), as amended.”
SEC. 2. Section 33 of Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 33. Incentives. – Those caring for and living with a PWD shall be granted the following incentives:
“(a) PWD, who are within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to the taxpayer, regardless of
age, who are not gainfully employed and chiefly dependent upon the taxpayer, shall be treated as
dependents under Section 35(b) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, and as such, individual taxpayers
caring for them shall be accorded the privileges granted by the Code insofar as having dependents under
the same section are concerned; and
“x x x.”
SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations, – The Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), in consultation with the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Finance (DOF), and the
National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for
the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act: Provided, That the failure of the concerned
agencies to promulgate the said rules and regulations shall not prevent the implementation of this Act
upon its effectivity.
SEC. 4. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, other
provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. – All laws, orders, decrees, rules and regulations, and other parts thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
SEC. 6. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette
or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
(Sgd.) FRANKLIN M. DRILON
of Representatives
This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 1039 and Senatee Bill No. 2890 was passed by the
House of Representatives and the Senate on December 16, 2015 and December 15, 2015, respectively.
Secretary General
Approved: MAR 23 2016
RA 11106 – An Act Declaring The Filipino Sign Language As The National Sign Language Of The Filipino
Deaf And The Official Sign Language Of Government In All Transactions Involving The Deaf, And
Mandating Its Use In Schools, Broadcast Media, And Workplaces
S. No. 1455
H. No. 7503
Metro Manila
Seventeenth Congress
Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-third day of July, two thousand eighteen.
AN ACT DECLARING THE FILIPINO SIGN LANGUAGE AS THE NATIONAL SIGN LANGUAGE OF
THE FILIPINO DEAF AND THE OFFICIAL SIGN LANGUAGE OF GOVERNMENT IN ALL
TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE DEAF, AND MANDATING ITS USE IN SCHOOLS, BROADCAST
MEDIA, AND WORKPLACES
Section 1. Title – This Act shall be known as “The Filipino Sign Language Act”.
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State shall, in compliance with the United Nations Convention on
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, promote, protect, and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all
human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities. Thus, national and local State
agencies shall uphold respect for their inherent dignity, individual autonomy, and independence by
guaranteeing accessibility and eliminating all forms of discrimination in all public interactions and
transactions, thereby ensuring their full and effective participation and inclusion in society. The State shall
also take all appropriate measures to ensure that the Filipino deaf can exercise the right to expression
and opinion. Accordingly, the State recognizes and promotes the use of sign languages embodying the
specific cultural and linguistic identity of the Filipino deaf.
The State also furthers the vision taken with the Early Years Act (Republic Act No. 10410) and the
Enhanced Basic Education Act (Republic Act No. 10533), which have already recognized Filipino Sign
Language in the education of the deaf learners from early childhood up to the secondary level.
Section 3. Filipino Sign Language as the National Sign Language . – Filipino Sign Language, hereinafter
referred to as FSL, is hereby declared as the national sign language of the Philippines. The FSL shall be
recognized, promoted, and supported as the medium of official communication in all transactions
involving the deaf, and as the language of instruction of deaf education, without prejudice to the use of
other forms of communication depending on individual choice or preference.
Section 4. Filipino Sign Language in Education. – (a) Medium of Instruction and Curriculum. – The
Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and all other national and local government
agencies involved in the education of the deaf, are tasked to henceforth use, and coordinate with each
other on the use of FSL, as the medium of instruction in deaf education. The FSL shall also be taught as
a separate subject in the curriculum for deaf learners. The reading and writing of Filipino, as the national
language, other Philippine languages, and English shall also be taught to deaf learners.
(b) Deaf Teachers. – To promote the licensing and mobilization of deaf teachers in formal education as
well as alternative learning systems, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) together with
teacher education programs nationwide are directed to employ alternative assessment procedures as
affirmative action measures which shall consider the conditions, abilities, and social barriers of the deaf
teachers. These procedures shall be language-appropriate and culture-fair to deaf education graduates.
(c) FLS in Teacher Education Programs. – In the context of inclusive education and Universal Design, the
learning of FSL shall be a curricular or co-curricular offering in teacher education programs as deemed
appropriate.
(d) Training and Evaluation Programs. – All national and local government agencies and centers
providing education to deaf students are hereby tasked to undertake regular pre-/in-service training and
evaluation of their teachers. These shall be designed and taught in partnership with the representative of
the Filipino deaf community.
The University of the Philippines (UP), together with the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (WKP), professional
sign linguistics and linguistics researchers, in collaboration with the CHED and the DepEd, and the Early
Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council, shall develop guidelines for the development of
training materials in the education of the deaf for use by all state universities and colleges (SUCs), as well
as their teachers and staff.
Section 5. Standards for Filipino Sign Language Interpreting. – The KWF, with the involvement of the deaf
community and other stakeholders, shall establish a national system of standards, accreditations, and
procedures for FSL interpreting, without prejudice to other forms of communication which respect the right
of a deaf person to accessibility, and to seek, receive, impart ideas on an equal basis with others
according to their choice. This shall include policies on the practice of interpreting as a profession such as
compensation rates and benefits, working conditions, procedures for grievances and others.
Section 6. Filipino Sign Language in the Justice System. – The FSL shall be the official language and
legal interpreting for the deaf in all public hearings, proceedings, and transactions of the courts, quasi-
judicial agencies, and other tribunals. To ensure effective access to justice for the deaf on an equal basis
with others and to facilitate their effective role as direct and indirect participants in the legal system,
courts, quasi-judicial agencies, and other tribunals are hereby mandated to ensure the availability of a
qualified sign language interpreter in all proceedings involving deaf, without prejudice to the right of the
deaf to choose other forms or modes of communication, if they so prefer.
For purposes of this Act, “hearings, proceedings, and transactions” shall include those in police stations
and before the Lupong Tagapamayapa of the Katarungang Pambarangay, as well as preliminary
investigations and other initial stages in the courts, quasi-judicial bodies, and other tribunals.
The Supreme Court and other concerned agencies shall promote appropriate training for those working in
the administration of justice, including hearing interpreters, deaf relay interpreters, and other court
personnel, police and prison staff. Support staff shall also be trained in translation from FSL to written
English or Filipino.
The Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and
the Judiciary, with the involvement of the deaf community and other stakeholders, are tasked to create a
national system of standards, accreditation, and procedures for legal interpreting in FSL.
Section 7. – Filipino Sign Language in All Workplaces. – The FSL shall be the official language of the
Filipino deaf employed in the civil service and in all government workplaces. For this purpose, all
government offices shall take reasonable measures to encourage the use of FSL among its deaf and
hearing employees, including the conduct of awareness and training seminars on the rationale and use of
FSL.
The UP, together with the KWF, professional linguistics organizations and deaf linguistics researchers,
shall formulate guidelines for the development of training materials for the employees of the DOJ, the
Judiciary, the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),
the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), and the
Commission on Human Rights (CHR), in the conduct of the mandates and activities of these concerned
offices.
Section 8. Filipino Sign Language in the Health System. – State hospitals and all health facilities shall
take steps to ensure access of the Filipino deaf to health services, including the free provision of FSL
interpreters and accessible materials upon request of deaf patients, or individuals who have family
members who are deaf. As part of their corporate social responsibility, private health facilities are
encouraged to provide access to health services to all deaf patients and their family members.
Section 9. Filipino Sign Language in All Other Public Transactions, Services, and Facilities. – All national
agencies including government-owned or –controlled corporations (GOCCs), and local government units
(LGUs) are hereby directed to use FSL as the medium of official communication in all public transactions
involving the deaf. Qualified FSL interpreters and accessible materials shall be provided whenever
necessary or requested during fora, conferences, meetings, cultural events, sports competitions,
community affairs, and activities conducted by government agencies and GOCCs.
Section 10. Filipinos Sign Language in Media. – The FSL shall be the language of broadcast media
interpreting. To guarantee access to information and freedom of expression of the Filipino deaf,
the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP), and the Movie and Television Review and
Classification Board (MTRCB) shall, within one (1) year from the effective date of this Act, require FSL
interpreter insets, compliant with accessibility standards for television, in news and public affairs
programs. Subsequently, the MTRCB shall take steps to promote progressive use of FSL in all other
broadcasts and programming, especially in educational television programs designed for children, in
conjunction with the National Council for Chidlren’s Television and the DepEd.
The KBP and the MTRCB, the deaf community, and other stakeholders are tasked to create a national
system of standards, procedures and accreditation for broadcast media interpreting in FSL.
All videos published online, including those on social media, shall also conform to Philippine web
accessibility standards.
Section 11. Promotion of Filipino Sign Language. – The DepEd, CHED, UP, KWF, Linguistic Society of
the Philippines, and other national agencies and LGUs shall, in consultation with professional
organizations with expertise and experience in language policy and planning and the deaf community,
take appropriate steps to propagate sign language competency among hearing people, by offering FSL
as an elective subject in the regular or mainstream curriculum, particularly of SUCs.
In coordination with the KWF, SUCs, led by the UP, are directed to undertake continuing research for the
development, propagation, and preservation of FSL and its cultural society.
Section 12. Instructional Materials for Schools and Child Development Centers. – The DepEd
Instructional Materials and Council Secretariat shall, in coordination with the Bureau of Learning
Resources and the Bureau of Learning Delivery, as well as the ECCD Council, develop guidelines for the
selection, production, procurement, and distribution of print and video materials in FSL to all public
schools, day care centers, and national child development centers. Seventy-five percent (75%) of all
procurement contracts shall be reserved for deaf people’s organizations, including regional or provincial
enterprises and cooperatives run by the deaf and recognized by the LGUs.
Section 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The KWF, in coordination with the Secretary of
Education, the Chairperson of the CHED, the Director General of the TESDA, the Chairperson of the
PRC, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Secretary of Justice, and the heads of other
relevant agencies, and in consultation with the representatives of the deaf community, teachers with
knowledge and experience with the use of FSL in deaf education, the academe, interpreters, and other
persons concerned, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation
of this Act within one hundred eighty (180) days after its effective date. These rules and regulations shall
be published in accessible formats in the respective websites of the concerned agencies and through
other means necessary.
Section 14. Strict Monitoring and Implementation of this Act. – The monitoring and implementation of this
Act shall be strictly upheld. For this purpose, an Inter-Agency Council is hereby created which shall
consist of one (1) representative each from the CHR, the CWC, the PCW, the KWF and the FSL
organizations or institutions. The Inter-Agency Council shall make an annual report on the monitoring and
implementation of this Act and the copy of which shall be submitted to both Houses of Congress and
published in accessible formats in their respective websites and through other means necessary to serve
the purpose of effective dissemination. Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this Act shall be a
matter that can be referred to the Civil Service Commission, DILG, Sandiganbayan or Office of the
Ombudsman or other pertinent offices or bodies for appropriate sanctions pursuant to existing laws and
regulations.
Section 15. Appropriations. – The initial funding of this Act shall be taken from the current year’s
appropriations of the concerned agencies. Thereafter, the amount necessary for is continued
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. Relevant and allowable
expenditures related to education may also be charged to the ECCD Council, the LGU Special Education
Fund, or other relevant fund.
Section 16. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the
remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 17. Repealing Clause. – All laws executive issuances inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
Section 18. Effectivity Date. –This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in one (1) newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
Speaker of the House of Representative
VICENTE C. SOTTO III
This Act was passed by the Senate of the Philippines as Senate Bill No. 1455 on August 28, 2018 and
adopted by the House of Representatives as an amendment to House Bill No. 7503 on September 10,
2018.
DANTE ROBERTO P. MALING
Acting Secretary General
MYRA MARIE D. VILLARICA
Approved: October 30, 2018
RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
RA 11215 – An Act Institutionalizing A National Integrated Cancer Program And Appropriating Funds
Therefor
Serial No. 1850
H. No. 8636
Metro Manila
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11215
AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A NATIONAL INTEGRATED CANCER PROGRAM AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
ARTICLE I
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “National Integrated Cancer Control Act”.
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – Recognizing that cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the
Philippines, the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development
which includes the strengthening of integrative, multidisciplinary, patient and family centered cancer
control policies, programs, systems, interventions and services at all levels of the existing health care
delivery system.
Towards this end, the State shall endeavor to prevent cancer and improve cancer survivorship by scaling
up essential programs and increasing investments for robust prevention of cancer, better screening,
prompt and accurate diagnosis, timely and optimal treatment, responsive palliative care and pain
management, effective survivorship care and late effects management and rehabilitation. It shall likewise
make cancer treatment and care more equitable and affordable for all, especially for the underprivileged,
poor and marginalized Filipinos.
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act:
(a) Allied health care professionals refer to trained non-cancer health professionals such as physicians,
social workers, nurses, occupational therapists, recreational therapists, dietitians, among others;
(b) Cancer refers to a genetic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body.
Other terms used are malignant tumors and neoplasms. One defining feature of cancer is the rapid
creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, and which can then invade adjoining
parts of the body and spread to other organs;
(c) Cancer control refers to the strategies to reduce the incidence, morbidity and mortality and improve
the quality of life of cancer patients in a defined population, through the systematic implementation of
evidence-based interventions for prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and palliative care;
(d) Cancer diagnosis refers to the various techniques and procedures used to detect or confirm the
presence of cancer;
(e) Cancer registry refers to a database that contains information about people diagnosed with various
types of cancer. The registry shall require systematic collection, storage, analysis, interpretation and
reporting of data on subjects with cancer. There are two (2) main types of cancer registry:
1.) Population-based cancer registry, which refers to the collection of data on all new cases of cancer
occurring in a well-defined population, including mortality and survivorship;
2.) Hospital-based cancer registry, which refers to the recording of information on the cancer patients
diagnosed and treated in a particular hospital;
f.) Cancer rehabilitation refers to a program that helps people with cancer maintain and restore physical
and emotional well-being. Cancer rehabilitation is available before, during and after cancer treatment;
g.) Cancer screening refers to the detection of cancer before symptoms start to appear. This may involve
blood tests, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) tests, urine tests and other tests such as medical imaging;
h.) Cancer survivorship refers to the period starting at the time of disease diagnosis and continues
throughout the rest of the patient’s life. Family, carers, and friends are also considered survivors.
Survivorship care has three (3) distinct phases: living through, with, and beyond cancer;
i.) Cancer treatment refers to the series of interventions that are aimed at curing the disease and improve
the patient’s quality of life, such as psychological and nutritional support, surgery, radiotherapy,
radioisotope therapy, and drug therapy, which includes chemotherapy, hormonotherapy, biotherapeutics,
immunotherapy, gene therapy and supportive therapy;
j.) Carer refers to anyone who provides care for cancer patients and family members;
k.) Comprehensive cancer care center refers to a care center that is multidisciplinary and integrates
clinical care, education and research to accelerate the control and cure of cancer;
l.) Continuum of care refers to delivery of comprehensive health care services, which includes risk
assessment, primary prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and end-of-life care;
m.) Hospice care refers to the palliation of a chronically ill, terminally ill or seriously ill patient’s pain and
symptoms, otherwise known as end-of-life care that consists of medical, psychological and spiritual
support;
n.) Psychosocial support progam refers to the assistance on nonmedical costs such as financial
assistance, transient housing, transportation, food and nutrition and the like;
o.) Management of late effects refers to the management of effects that occur months or years after
cancer treatment;
p.) Metastasis refers to the spread of cancer cells from the place where they first formed to new areas of
the body often by way of the lymph system or bloodstream;
q.) Multidisciplinary patient care refers to an integrated approach to cancer care in which medical and
allied health care professionals consider all relevant treatment options and develop collaboratively an
individual treatment plan for each patient;
r.) National Integrated Cancer Control Program refers to the program of the national government for the
comprehensive and integrated control of cancer in the Philippines;
s.) Notifiable disease refers to a disease that, by legal requirements, must be reported to the public health
authority when the diagnosis is made;
t.) Optimal treatment and care refers to a quality treatment care that adheres to the standards of
treatment and care based on evidence-based guidelines;
u.) Palliative care refers to an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families
facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by
means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems,
physical, psychosocial and spiritual;
v.) Patient navigation refers to individualized assistance, through all the phases of cancer experience,
offered to patients, families and carers to help overcome health care system barriers and facilitate timely
access to quality medical and psychosocial care beginning from pre-diagnosis and extending throughout
the continuum of care;
w.) Patient care pathway refers to the route that a patient shall take from their first contact with the health
worker, through referral, to the completion of their treatment. It also covers the period from entry into a
hospital or a health care facility, until the patient leaves;
x.) Secondary cancer refers to either a secondary primary cancer or to cancer that has spread from one
part of the body to another (metastatic cancer); and
y.) Supportive care refers to prevention and management of the adverse effects of cancer and its
treatment which includes management of physical and psychological symptoms and side effects across
the continuum of the cancer experience.
ARTICLE II
THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED CANCER CONTROL PROGRAM
SECTION 4. National Integrated Cancer Control Program. – There is hereby established a National
Integrated Cancer Control Program which shall serve as the framework for all cancer-related activities of
the government. The program shall have the following objectives:
a.) Decrease the overall mortality and impact of all adult and childhood cancer;
b.) Lessen the incidence of preventable cancer in adults and children;
c.) Prevent cancer recurrence, metastasis and secondary cancer among survivors and people living with
cancer;
d.) Provide timely access to optimal cancer treatment and care for all cancer patients;
e.) Make cancer treatment and care more affordable and accessible;
f.) Improve the experience of cancer treatment and care of patients and families;
g.) Support the recovery and reintegration to society of the cancer survivors; and
h.) Eliminate various forms of burden on patients, people living with cancer, survivors and their families.
SECTION 5. National Integrated Cancer Control Council. – There is hereby created a National Integrated
Cancer Control Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council, which shall act as the policy making,
planning and coordinating body on cancer control, attached the Department of Health (DOH). The Council
shall provide technical guidance and support and oversee the implementation of this Act, ensuring
judicious and best use of available resources for the benefit of all, especially the most vulnerable sectors
of the society, the elderly, women and children, the poor, marginalized and disadvantaged.
SECTION 6. Composition of the Council. The Council shall be composed of the following:
a.) The Secretary of Health, or a designated representative with a rank not lower than assistant secretary,
as chairperson in an ex officio capacity;
b.) A vice chairperson, who shall be elected by the non ex officio members, from among themselves, and
who shall serve for a term of three (3) years;
c.) Ex officio members consisting of the following:
1.) Secretary of Social Welfare and Development, or a designated representative;
2.) Secretary of Labor and Employment, or a designated representative;
3.) Secretary of the Interior and Local Governance, or a designated representative;
4.) President and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
(PhilHealth) or a designated representative;
5.) Director General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or a designated representative;
d.) Two (2) medical doctors, who must be citizens and residents of the Philippines, of good moral
character, of recognized probity and independence, have distinguished themselves professionally in
public, private, civic or academic service in the field of oncology, and must have been in the active
practice of their professions for at least ten (10) years, chosen from at least five (5) persons
recommended by the Secretary of Health, to be appointed by the President for a term of three (3) years;
and
e.) Three (3) representatives from cancer-focused patient support organizations and advocacy network, to
be appointed by the President for a term of three (3) years from the list of organizations and advocacy
network recommended by the Secretary of Health.
The Council shall utilize the services and facilities of the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau under
the DOH as the Secretariat of the Council.
The non ex officio members may receive honoraria in accordance with existing laws, rules and
regulations.
SECTION 7. Roles and Functions. – The Council shall formulate polices, programs and reforms that
enhance the synergy among stakeholders and ensure a well-coordinated, effective and sustainable
implementation of the provisions of this Act. It shall, as necessary, create experts’ groups or technical
working groups to undertake any of the following key tasks:
a.) Develop integrated and responsive cancer control policies and programs tailored to the socioeconomic
context and epidemiological profiles of the Philippines which aim to improve cancer survivorship, make
cancer care more accessible and affordable, expand cancer care to include the whole continuum of care,
promote integrated, multidisciplinary, developmentally appropriate patient and family-centered care, and
enhance the well-being and quality of life of cancer patients and their families;
b.) Develop the National Integrated Cancer Control roadmap with annual targets, priorities and
performance benchmarks for the effective institutionalization of strategies, policies, programs and
services in the national and local health care system;
c.) Develop, update and promote, evidence-based treatment standards and guidelines for all adult and
childhood cancer, of all stages, including the management of late effects;
d.) Develop innovative and cost-effective cancer care service models for effectively delivering integrated
cancer care in the most appropriate settings and improve patient care flow from primary to tertiary care;
e.) Develop clearly defined patient care pathways and evidence-based standards of care for the network
of cancer centers;
f.) Set quality and accreditation standards for oncology focused health service facilities, ethical cancer
research, health care providers, medical professionals and allied health care professionals;
g.) Monitor and assess the implementation of prioritized packages of cancer services for all ages and all
stages of cancer, ensuring that they are provided in an equitable, affordable and sustainable manner, at
all levels of care;
h.) Recommend responsive and proactive medicine access programs, including improvements of core
systems and process related to:
1.) Availability and affordability of quality, safe, and effective medicines;
2.) Increased access to cost effective vaccinations to prevent infections associated with cancer;
3.) Diagnostics for cancer;
4.) Innovative medicines and technologies; and
5.) Compassionate use of protocols, as necessary;
i.) Establish mechanisms and platforms for multisectoral and multistakeholder collaborations,
coordination, and cooperation, especially in health promotion, disease prevention, capacity development,
education, training and learning information and communication, social mobilization and resource
mobilization;
j.) Establish mechanisms and platforms for patient, family and community engagement, especially on
protection and promotion of the rights of patients, survivors and their families and their active involvement
in multidisciplinary patient care, patient navigation and survivors’ follow-up care;
k.) Strengthen linkages with local and international organizations for possible partnerships in treatment
and management of challenging and rare cases, education, training and learning, advocacy, research,
resource mobilization and funding assistance;
l.) Institute the provision of child life services in all appropriate hospitals and facilties;
m.) Establish a system for program review, monitoring and evaluation, inclusive of financial aspects, and
submit an annual report and recommendation to the Secretary of Health on the progress,
accomplishments and implementation challenges encountered; and
n.) Secure from government agencies and other stakeholders, recommendations, and plans pertinent to
the respective mandates of the agencies and other stakeholders for the implementation of the provisions
of this Act.
SECTION 8. Personal Complement. To ensure the effective implementation of this Act, the personnel
complement for the Cancer Programs in the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of the DOH shall be
increased.
A Division Chief for Cancer Control Program shall be designated to provide operational, leadership,
undertake coordination with program stakeholders and ensure effective and sustainable implementation
of the National Integrated Cancer Control Program. The Secretary of Health shall, in coordination with the
Secretary of Budget and Management (DBM), create the additional plantilla positions for health personnel
required in the program.
ARTICLE III
QUALITY HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS
SECTION 9. Cancer Care Infrastructure. – The DOH, local government units (LGUs), and other
government agencies concerned shall strengthen the capability of public health systems and facilities,
provision of services and continuum of care, through the following key activities:
a.) Allocate adequate resources for investments in health facility renovation or upgrade, inclusive of
technologies and equipment for use in cancer treatment and care from cancer diagnosis to cancer
rehabilitation;
b.) Develop robust and effective patient referral pathways across levels of health service delivery;
c.) Provide reliable supply of cancer drugs and cancer control related vaccines to patients by ensuring
that health facilities and local health centers have sufficient supply of essential medicines and vaccines;
d.) Enhance the oncology related competencies of health providers in all levels of care and the capacity to
collaborate and work effectively in an integrated, multidisciplinary settings;
e.) Institute workplace retention programs for priority oncology disciplines where shortages exist, and in
underserved areas where there are no oncology related practitioners;
f.) Establish clear standards and guidelines for patient care, psychosocial support, palliative care and pain
management, and cancer focused patient navigation for individuals and communities and to clearly
provide individualized support during the cancer journey, facilitating access to information and resources
as needed, throughout the cancer continuum of care;
g.) Establish and strengthen community level of care for cancer patients, cancer survivors, and people
living with cancer, of all genders and ages;
h.) Ensure the proper recording, reporting and monitoring of cancer cases of all genders and ages, in all
levels of care;
i.) Network and link-up with comprehensive cancer care centers, regional cancer centers, specially
centers, privately managed cancer centers and relevant health facilities and international institutions, for
knowledge and resource sharing; and
j.) All other activities and initiatives as may be identified by the Council.
SECTION 10. Philippine Cancer Care. – There shall be established a Philippine Cancer Center under the
control and supervision of the DOH, to be headed by an Executive Director.
Other comprehensive specialty cancer centers shall be designated in high population and high risk areas
outside Metro Manila.
The Center shall have the following purposes and objectives:
a.) To ensure strategic alignment with the national cancer control plans and programs;
b.) To provide for accommodation, facilities and medical treatment of patients suffering from cancer,
subject to the rules and regulations of the Center;
c.) To promote, encourage and engage in scientific research on the prevention of cancer and the care
and treatment of cancer patients and related activities;
d.) To stimulate and underwrite scientific researchers on the biological, demographic, social, economic,
physiological aspects of cancer, its abnormalities and control; and gather, compile, and publish the
findings of such researches for public dissemination;
e.) To encourage and undertake the training of physicians, pathologists, nurses, medical and laboratory
technicians, health officers and social workers on the practical and scientific conduct and implementation
of cancer health care services, and related activities; and
f.) To assist universities, hospitals and research institutions in their studies of cellular anomalies, including
rare cancers to encourage advanced training on matters of, or affecting the human cell, and related fields
and to support educational programs of value to general health.
SECTION 11. Cancer Care Centers. – The Secretary of health, in coordination with the Council, shall
develop standards to classify, accredit and designate comprehensive cancer care centers, specialty
cancer centers, stand-alone specialty cancer centers, regional cancer centers and cancer satellites or
stand-alone clinics.
In accordance with Section 33 of this Act, the DOH, in the implementing rules and regulations of this Act,
shall provide for the minimum required diagnostic, therapeutic, research capacities and facilities,
technical, operational and personnel standards of these centers, as well as the appropriate licensing and
accreditation requirements, and procedure for licensing in a timely manner. The use of Public Private
Partnership shall be allowed on the procurement of cancer care infrastructure and delivery of services to
improve access to and services to hasten delivery of essential oncological services and promote
efficiency in fiscal utilization for cancer program and projects. Private institutions may also be accredited
as comprehensive cancer care centers, specialty cancer centers, stand-alone specialty cancer care
centers, regional cancer centers and cancer satellites or stand-alone clinics, provided they comply with
the requirements for such accreditation.
SECTION 12. Regional Cancer Care.– The objectives and functions of a regional cancer center are as
follows:
a.) Provide timely, developmentally appropriate, and high-quality cancer services such as screening,
diagnosis, optimal treatment and care, supportive care and palliative care, survivorship follow-up care,
and reintegration and rehabilitation, to cancer patients of all genders and ages;
b.) Establish, as necessary, networks with both public and private facilities to improve access, expand
range of services, reduce costs and bring services closer to patients;
c.) Provide and promote supportive care, palliative care and pain management, patient navigation,
hospice care and other measures to improve the well-being and quality of life of cancer patients, people
living with cancer, their families and carers;
d.) Provide separate units and facilities for children and adolescents with cancer and ensure that such
children and adolescents are not mixed with the general population;
e.) Design and implement high-impact, innovative, and relevant local communications campaigns that are
context and culture-sensitive, and aligned with national programs;
f.) Undertake and support the training of physicians, nurses, medical technicians, pharmacists, health
officers, and social workers on evidence-based and good practice models for the delivery of responsive,
multidisciplinary, integrated cancer services;
g.) Address the psychosocial and rehabilitation needs of cancer patients and survivors;
h.) Adopt and promote evidence-based innovations, good practice models, equitable, sustainable
strategies and actions across the continuum of care;
i.) Engage and collaborate with LGUs, private sector, philanthropic institutions, cancer focused patient
support, advocacy organizations and civil society organizations to make available programs and services
and practical assistance to cancer families and cancer survivors; and
j.) Promote and assist in ethical scientific research on matters related to cancer.
SECTION 13. Capacity Development. The DOH, in collaboration with cancer focused professional
societies, LGUs leagues, and LGU-based health associations, academic institutions, human resources
units of cancer care centers, civil society organizations, and the private sector, shall formulate, implement
and update capacity development program for all health care workers providing cancer care service and
support at all levels of the health care delivery system.
SECTION 14. Oncology-Related Academic Curriculum. –The Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
in collaboration with the DOH, higher education institutions (HEIs), cancer focused professional societies,
accrediting institutions and patient support organizations, shall undertake an assessment of current
oncology-related academic curriculum and ensure that the curriculum meets local needs and global
practice standards. The CHED shall encourage HEIs to offer degree programs for high priority oncology-
related specializations and continuing education programs related to oncological treatment and care.
The DOH, in collaboration with academic institutions, shall provide subsidies and scholarships for training
of oncology professionals, such as medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists,
specialized radiation technologists, medical physicists, oncology nurses, and other specialized oncology
professionals.
ARTICLE IV
CANCER AWARENESS
SECTION 15. Cancer Awareness Campaign. The DOH shall intensify its cancer awareness campaign
and provide the latest and evidence-based information for the prevention and treatment of cancer
including practical advice, support and referral for cancer patients, people living with cancer, cancer
survivors, their families and carers. The DOH, in collaboration with the Department of Information and
Communications Technology, shall make full use of the latest technology to disseminate information to
reach every Filipino.
The awareness campaign must increase cancer literacy and understanding of risk factors associated with
cancer, dispel myths and misconceptions about cancer, and reduce the anxiety, fear, distress and
uncertainty related to cancer.
SECTION 16. National Cancer Awareness Month. – The month of February of every year shall be known
as the “National Cancer Awareness Month” throughout the Philppines. The DOH, in collaboration with
LGUs, cancer focused professional societies, academic institutions, shall lead the observance of National
Cancer Awareness Month.
SECTION 17. Health Education and Promotion in Schools, Colleges, and Universities. – The CHED and
the Department of Education, in coordination with the DOH, shall develop policies and provide technical
guidance to academic institutions and administrators to:
a.) Promote and facilitate integration of age appropriate and gender sensitive key messages on cancer
risk factors, early warning signs and symptoms of adult cancer and childhood lifestyles and healthy diets
in their curriculum, health and wellness programs, and co-curricular activities;
b.) Undertake mainstreaming of practical supportive care and psychosocial support programs for people
living with cancer, cancer survivors, and their family members, especially those who act as carers for
cancer patients; and
c.) Adopt initiatives that minimize or eliminate stigma and discrimination in schools, colleges, and
universities that are experienced by people with cancer, cancer survivors and their families.
SECTION 18. Health Education and Promotion in the Workplace. – The Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE), Civil Service Commission, and Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority, in coordination with the DOH, shall develop policies and provide technical guidance to
employers, employees associations, and unions to:
a.) Promote and facilitate integration of gender sensitive key messages on cancer risk factors, early
warning signs and symptoms of adult cancer and childhood cancer, cancer prevention and control,
adoption of healthy lifestyles and healthy diets, in their communication initiatives, health and wellness
programs, and employee development programs;
b.) Undertake mainstreaming of practical supportive care and psychosocial support programs for people
living with cancer, cancer survivors, and their family members;
c.) Integrate appropriate cancer services in their health services and clinics; and
d.) Develop programs, initiatives or mechanisms that shall minimize or eliminate stigma and
discrimination in the workplace that is experienced by people living with cancer, cancer survivors, and
their families.
SECTION 19. Health Education and Promotion in Communities. – The Department of the Interior and
Local Government (DILG) and LGUs, in collaboration with the DOH central and regional offices, local
cancer focused patient support organizations and cancer focused professional societies, shall lead the
health education and promotion campaign in local communities, including out-of-school youth. The DILG,
in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), shall conduct and
promote age appropriate and gender sensitive cancer-focused health education.
ARTICLE V
AFFORDABLE CANCER CARE AND TREATMENT
SECTION 20. Establishment of Cancer Assistance Fund. There is hereby established a Cancer
Assistance Fund to support the cancer medicine and treatment assistance program. The DOH shall
manage Fund in accordance with existing budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations and
shall make a quarterly report to the Office of the President and Congress on the disbursement of the
Fund.
The DOH may solicit and receive donations which shall form part of the Fund and such donations shall be
exempt from income and or donor’s tax and all other taxes, fees and charges imposed by the
government. Likewise, fund raising activities may be conducted by the Council and the proceeds of which
shall accrue to the Fund and shall be exempt from any and all taxes.
Receipts from donations, whether in cash or in kind, shall be accounted for in the books of the done
government agency in accordance with accounting and auditing rules and regulations. The receipts from
cash donations and proceeds from sale of donated commodities shall be deposited with the National
Treasury and recorded as a special account in the General Fund and shall be available to the
implementing agency concerned through a special budget pursuant to Section 35, Chapter 5, Book VI of
Executive Order No. 292. The cash value of the donations shall be deemed automatically appropriated for
the purpose specified by the donor. Donations with a term not exceeding one (1) year shall be treated as
trust receipts.
The donee-agency concerned shall submit the quarterly reports of all donations received, whether in cash
or in kind, and expenditures or disbursements thereon with electronic signature to the DBM, through the
Unified Reporting System, and to the Speaker of the House of the Representatives, the President of the
Senate of the Philippines, the House Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Committee on Finance
and the Commission on Audit, by posting such reports on the donee-agency concerned websites for a
period of three (3) years. The head of the donee-agency concerned shall send written notice to the said
offices when said reports have been posted on its website which shall be considered the date of
submission.
SECTION 21. PhilHealth Benefits for Cancer. – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation shall
expand its benefit packages to include primary care screening, detection, diagnosis, treatment
assistance, supportive care, survivorship follow-up care rehabilitation, and end-of-life care, for all types
and stages of cancer, in both adults and children. It shall also develop innovative benefits such as support
for community-based modesl fo care to improve cancer treatment journey and reduce costs of care,
including stand-alone chemotherapy infusion centers, ambulatory care, community- or home-based
palliative care and pain management and community-based hospice facility. The development or
expansion of any PhilHealth benefit shall go through a proper, transparent and standardized prioritization
setting process, such as the Health Technology Assessment and actuarial feasibility study, to avoid
inequitable allocation of funds for health care services.
The Cance Assistance Fund and PhilHealth benefits shall be made available in public and private DOH-
licensed cancer centers, DOH and PhilHealth shall prescribe, in consultation with stakeholders, the
coverage rates and applicable rules on options to charge co-payment for services rendered. Processes to
avail of such funding shall be streamlined to ensure timely provision of cancer care.
SECTION 22. Social Protection Mechanisms. – The DOH, in collaboration with the Social Security
System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office,
DOLE, DSWD, PhilHealth and LGUs shall develop appropriate and easily accessible social protection
mechanisms for cancer patients, people living with cancer, cancer survivors, their families and carers. It
shall aim to encourage the underprivileged and marginalized people living with cancer to undergo the
necessary treatment and care.
A Cancer Control Policy shall be established in every workplace. It shall form part of employee benefits in
the formal sector covering the entire cancer continuum, from prevention, including genetic counseling and
testing, to screening, diagnosis and palliative care, treatment, rehabilitation, survivorship or hospice care.
The Insurance Commission shall mandate the Health Maintenance Organizations (HOMs) to cover
genetic counseling and testing, cancer screening, diagnostics and palliative care as well as certain
therapeutics of all member employees.
The cancer-related absences from work of member employees as well as voluntary members shall be
covered and compensated by the Sickness Benefits of the SSS and Disability Benefits of the GSIS.
The employees in the informal sector shall be prioritized in the cancer control packages of PhilHealth
while the employees in the formal sector shall be offered cost-sharing PhilHealth benefit packages.
ARTICLE VI
ESSENTIAL MEDICINES
SECTION 23. Cancer and Related Supportive Care Medicines. – The DOH, and other concerned
government agencies shall implement reforms supporting early access to essential medicines, innovative
medicines and health technologies, to ensure highest possible chance of survival among people with
cancer. The reforms include facilitating quick access to drugs for compassionate use and developing a
more responsive system for effectively addressing emergency cases.
The FDA shall create a dedicated and streamlined process, not exceeding one (1) year, for the licensing
of innovator and generic cancer medication, subject to appropriate quality checks and compliance with
minimum standards, such as, but not limited to, being approved and used for cancer treatment in other
countries.
SECTION 24. Palliative Care and Pain Management Medicines. – The DOH shall ensure sufficient supply
of medicines for palliative care and pain management that are available at affordable prices. Further, the
DOH shall formulate a monitoring system to check that pain medications are safe and administered in
correct dosages.
ARTICLE VII
SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR PERSONS WITH CANCER AND CANCER SURVIVORS
SECTION 25. Persons with Disabilities. – Cancer patients, persons living with cancer and cancer
survivors are considered as persons with disabilities (PWDs) in accordance with Republic Act No. 7277,
as amended, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons”.
SECTION 26. Rights and Privileges. – The cancer patients persons living with cancer and cancer
survivors are accorded the same rights and privileges as PWDs and the DSWD shall ensure that their
social welfare and benefits provided under Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, are granted to them.
Further, the DOLE shall adopt programs which promote work and employment opportunities for able
persons with cancer and cancer survivors.
SECTION 27. Nondiscrimination. – The appropriate government agencies shall ensure that people living
with cancer and cancer survivors are free from any form of discrimination in school, workplace and
community.
ARTICLE VIII
CANCER REGISTRY AND MONITORING SYSTEM
SECTION 28. National Cancer Registry and Monitoring System. – The DOH, in collaboration with the
Council and other stakeholders, shall establish a national cancer registry and monitoring system. The
registry must cover all forms of cancer among adults and children and serve as guide in the policy
development of the Council. The national cancer registry shall be a population-based cancer registry
seeking to collect data on all new cases of cancer by geographical region to provide framework for
assessing and controlling the impact of cancer on the community. Cancer registries shall form part of the
Electronic Medical Reports requirement of the DOH, and that it shall be in accordance with the National
Health Data Standards and Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the “Data Privacy Act of 2012”.
SECTION 29. Hospital-Based Cancer Registry. –Every hospital, including clinics, shall have its own
cancer registry. The registry must record the personnel identification of cancer patients, cancer type,
treatment received and its results and other data that the DOH may prescribe. The regional offices of the
DOH shall ensure that all hospitals within their respective jurisdiction have cancer registry. The
information shall be treated with utmost confidentiality and shall not be released to third parties, in
accordance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the “Data Privacy Act of 2012”. Submission of the cancer
registry data to the DOH shall be a requirement for the renewal of a license to operate of a hospital.
SECTION 30. Recording and Reporting of Cancer Cases. –Adult and childhood cancer are considered as
a notifiable disease in all levels of the health care system. Any hospital or clinic which diagnosed a patient
with cancer shall report the same to the DOH. The DOH shall provide the form and manner of reporting of
cancer cases.
ARTICLE IX
FINAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 31. Annual Report. – The Secretary of Health shall submit to the Committees on Health of the
Senate and the House of Representatives an annual report on the progress of the implementation of this
Act.
SECTION 32. Appropriations. – The amount needed for the initial implementation of this Act, including
maintenance and other operating expenses of the National Integrated Cancer Control Program shall be
charged against the current year’s appropriations of the DOH.
For the succeeding years, the amount allocated for the National Integrated Cancer Control Program in the
DOH budget shall be based on strategic plan formulated by the Council, in accordance with other
stakeholders. The amount should be in the National Expenditures Program (NEP) as basis for the
General Appropriations Act.
SECTION 33. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act,
the Secretary of Health, in consultation with the Philippines Society of Medical Oncologist, Philippine
Society of Oncology, Cancer Coalition Philippines and other concerned stakeholders, shall promulgate
the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
SECTION 34. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the
remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 35. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, executive orders, letters of
instruction, administrative orders, rules or regulations inconsistent with the provision of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 36. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
Speaker of the House of Representative
This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1850 and House Bill No. 8636 was passed by the
Senate and the House of Representatives on December 13, 2018 and December 12, 2018, respectively.
DANTE ROBERTO P. MALING
House of Representative
Approved:
RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
RA 11228 – An Act Providing For The Mandatory Philhealth Coverage For All Persons With Disability
(PWDs), Amending For The Purpose Republic Act No. 7277, As Amended, Otherwise Known As The
“Magna Carta For Persons With Disability”
S. No. 1391
H. No. 8014
Metro Manila
[Republic Act No. 11228]
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MANDATORY PHILHEALTH COVERAGE FOR ALL
PERSONS WITH DISABILITY (PWDs), AMDENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277,
AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “MAGNA CARTA FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY”
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Title Two, Chapter III of the Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, is hereby further amended
by adding a new section denominated as Section 20-A to read as follows:
“SEC. 20-A. Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage. – All persons with disability (PWDs) shall be automatically
covered under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) of the Philippines Insurance Corporation
(PhilHealth). Premium contributions for all PWDs shall be paid by the national government: Provided,
That the premium contribution of PWD member in the formal economy shall be shared equally by their
employers and the national government. The funds necessary for the effective implementation of this Act
shall be sourced from the National Health Insurance Fund of PhilHealth earmarked from the proceeds of
Republic Act No. 10351, otherwise known as ‘An Act Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and
Tobacco Products by Amending Sections 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 8, 131 and 288 of the Republic Act
No. 8424, Otherwise Known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as Amended by Republic
Act No. 9334, and for Other Purposes’, in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations.
“The PhilHealth shall develop exclusive packages for PWDs that will address their specific health and
development needs.”
SEC. 2. Monitoring and Evaluation. – The Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE), the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), the local government units (LGUs), other
relevant government agencies and nongovernment organizations, shall conduct a periodic monitoring and
evaluation of the implementation of this Act. Towards this end, the DOH shall maintain an updated
database on PWDs and their health and development needs. The LGUs, the agencies are directed to
submit their data to the DOH.
SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). – The PhilHealth, in consultation with the DOH, the
DSWD, the DOLE, the NCDA, and the various national leagues of LGUs shall promulgate the IRR, within
three (3) months upon the effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or part thereof
which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
SEC. 5. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
This Act which is a consolidation of the Senate Bill No. 1391 and House Bill No. 8014 was passed by the
Senate and the House of Representative on December 10, 2018.
DANTE ORBERTO P. MALING
Approved: February 22, 2019
RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
RA 1179 – An Act To Provide For The Promotion Of Vocational Rehabilitation Of The Blind And Other
Handicapped Persons And Their Return To Civil Employment
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROMOTION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION OF THE BLIND
AND OTHER HANDICAPPED PERSONS AND THEIR RETURN TO CIVIL EMPLOYMENT
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. This Act may be cited as Vocational Rehabilitation Act
Sec. 2.OBJECTIVES
(a) To provide for the promotion of vocational training for the blind and other persons disabled by natural
and/or accidental causes resulting in job handicap in the form of physical or mental impairment and their
subsequent return from helplessness to competence; from dependency to self-sufficiency; from
hopelessness to active participating and contributing members of society;
(b) To prepare such disabled persons for suitable employment so as to place them on the right jobs
suitable to their abilities and talents;
(c) To train them to be able to take their rightful place in the economic and social activities of the country;
and
(d) To train available to such persons vocational rehabilitation services as a legal right.
Sec. 3. CREATION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION OFFICE
In order to ensure the most effective scheme of vocational rehabilitation of the blind and other
handicapped persons to implement the social welfare program of the government in the amelioration of
this deprived class of society, there is hereby established a Vocational Rehabilitation Office hereinafter
referred as the Office. The Office shall be under the executive supervision and control of the Social
Welfare Administrator and shall be headed by a chief who shall be referred to as Supervisor of the
Vocational Rehabilitation Office. The said Supervisor shall be appointed by the Social Welfare
Administrator and shall receive a compensation of five thousand four hundred pesos per annum.
Sec. 4. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADMINISTRATOR
Under this Act, the Social Welfare Administrator Shall:
(a) Designate the Vocational Rehabilitation Office as the sole energy for the administration, supervision
and control of the vocational rehabilitation program;
(b) Formulate the program, policies and methods in carrying out the work to render any or sell services for
the blind and handicapped persons;
(c) Provide that the vocational rehabilitation program be made available only to classes of employable
individuals defined under this Act;
(d) Appoint qualified and technical personnel to carry out the work of the Vocational Rehabilitation Office
as provided herein;
(e) Appoint, subject to civil service rules, such staff members as may be necessary and proper to carry
out the provisions of this Act. Said staff members shall be composed of public officials whose status and
conditions of service are such that they are independent of changes of government and of improper
external influences, and recruited with sole regard to their qualifications; and that such persons shall be
free from political domination and influence, and that subject to the needs of the service, they shall be
assured of stability of employment in keeping with the highest standards of personal administration.
(f) Promulgate rules and regulations governing the administration of this Act; and exercise such powers
and delegate such of these powers, except the making of the rules and regulations, as he finds necessary
in carrying out the purposes of this Act.
Sec. 5. THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM
To effect and facilitate rehabilitation of disabled individuals, the Office shall adopt and maintain a plant, to
be known as Vocational Rehabilitation Plan, which shall be as follows:
(a) Early start. – The Office shall take care of the prompt location of the blind and handicapped either by
correspondence or other means, so that rehabilitation may begin before he is unduly subjected to the
disintegrating effects of idleness and hopelessness.
(b) Rehabilitation diagnosis. – The clinic of the office shall be subject each individual to medical
examination, personal interviews and tests of aptitudes and interests with a view to meeting his problems
and needs, discovering the nature and extent of his disability, and determining the type of work he might
best perform. These medical examinations which include not only general medical examinations, but also
specialist and laboratory examinations, may also be secured from hospitals and other allied government
agencies according as each individual case may require.
(c) Counseling and guidance. – Each individual shall be given advice and made to understand by the
counselor designated by the office for each individual of his assets and liabilities, the causes of his
problems and the steps necessary to correct these difficulties so as to enable him to adjust to his
handicaps and select the type of job fitted to his abilities.
(d) Medical service – Physical restoration, when needed to remove or reduce disabilities shall be
furnished and secured for the individual by the Office or other allied government agencies on behalf of the
client.
(e) Vocational training. – Having selected a specific job goal through the help and advice of the counselor,
the Office shall furnish the disabled the necessary training and education necessary to fit them for the
chosen work.
(f) Auxiliary service. – The Office shall provide transportation, books, other training materials,
occupational tools, equipment and licenses where necessary during the period of vocational rehabilitation.
(g) Placement. – The Office shall secure for each individual employment best suited to his capacity and
talents and for which he is trained.
(h) Follow-up. – The Office shall conduct and follow-up on the individual’s job performance for a
reasonable time to make whatever adjustments may be necessary, or to provide further medical, surgical,
and psychiatric care if needed, or to supplement training if required.
Sec. 6. PERSONAL STANDARD
General requirements of personnel of the Office. – The officers and staff members of the Office should
have a general knowledge of the adjustment and vocational training for the blind and other disabled
persons, and a knowledge of all the services, both public and private, available to the blind and other
disabled persons; and must be conversant in the casework techniques incident to the employment
problems of the blind and other handicapped persons.
Sec. 7. DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE SUPERVISORS OF THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
OFFICE
It shall be the duty of the Supervisor. –
(a) To supervise and coordinate all rehabilitation services to the blind and other handicapped persons.
(b) Over-all supervision of all the disabled persons undergoing training in the Adjustment Center.
(c) To advise the different blind and other handicapped groups and associations in their activities for self-
help.
(d) To keep tract of the latest progress in rehabilitation of the blind abroad and to direct efforts for the
application of such which may be applied to the disabled persons in the Philippines.
(e) Whenever possible, to render vocational information service, self-inventory service and counseling
service to the blind and other handicapped persons to help them determine decisions and plans and to
improve their lot.
(f) To supervise and arrange placement of training of the blind and other handicapped persons to the right
job, either in sheltered workshop, self-employment, or employment with business or industrial or
agricultural enterprises.
(g) To help maintain public relations especially among the local, civic, religious, and welfare agencies as
those abroad.
(h) To help promote cordial relationships and healthy recreational activities among the organization of the
blind and other handicapped persons.
(i) To perform and such duties as may be assigned to him by the Social Welfare Administration from time
to time.
Sec. 8. ADJUSTMENT AND TRAINING CENTER PROGRAM
To establish immediately and Adjustment and Training Center for the disabled persons with the following
characteristics:
(1) A concentrated, individualized program for each client.
(2) The nucleus, at least, of a full-time staff. This nucleus shall consist of a rehabilitation specialist who
shall act as supervisor of the center; qualified vocational counselors and instructors for the work projects
and a property clerk.
(3) The evaluation, through a “team” approach, of the individual as a total personality.
(4) Opportunity for participation in a group as a motivating and learning device.
(5) An organized and systematic program to:
Assist each individual to acquire efficiency in the special techniques necessary to perform the demands of
daily living;
Help each individual gain insight into his physical, psycho-social and vocational needs;
Provide exploratory of try-out work experiences to:
Demonstrate the wide variety of tasks each individual can perform;
More thoroughly evaluate the aptitudes and skills of each individual;
Train each individual to perform certain household tasks;
Develop desirable work habits and attitudes.
(6) There is a terminal point for each individual in the center program.
(7) There is a consolidation of the program experiences by the “team” to form the basis for future planning
with each individual.
(8) In general, the Adjustment Center is a process of developing within the client a proper perspective
toward his disability, as well as that of developing certain basic skills of the client in order to compensate
for his handicap and loss of normal faculties.
a. Program flexibility. –
Flexibility in the outlined program may be obtained without sacrificing orderly procedure. While there must
be a general schedule of instruction going on all the time, there has to be a schedule for an individual that
will meet his needs in line with his capacities, his previous experiences and his objectives.
b. Program balance. –
An individual’s program may be kept in balance through the use of a schedule which will be of maximum
benefit to him. The formulation of such a schedule will be made apparent through consideration of
diagnostic reports and proposed objective.
c. Client introduction to Center. –
The introduction of the client to the center and to the program is of outmost importance since his first
impressions are the most lasting. All preliminary reports of the client should be reviewed very carefully by
the person who interviews him upon his arrival at the center. The first few days should be taken up by a
free program of orientation to the center, both the physical plant and the program. When more
experienced trainee are available, the new client should be assigned to a trainee whose interest and
background most closely parallel his own and through his trainee he will soon become familiar with the
various classrooms and extra-curricular opportunities provided by the center. A similar procedure can be
adopted for use by centers that service clients who enter in groups.
The Adjustment Center should operate eight hours a day, five instruction days per week for a minimum
duration of three months with individual extension possible up to a maximum of six months. There shall
be a gratuity allowance for the trainees to be fixed by the Social Welfare Administrator, and assigned as
maintenance while in training.
d. Discharge of clients from Center. –
When, through staff conference, it is determined that a client is prepared to accept vocational training or
placement, definite plans are made for his discharge. If the counselor or the referral agency, concurs in
the findings of the staff, the trainee is then called in for a personal conference at which time his entire
progress is reviewed with him. At this conference also is ascertained his understanding of his future plans
made by the referral agency. The definite time of departure is agreed upon, and transportation
arrangements are made. Any necessary notification to his family, cooperating person or agency, is sent. It
is very important that the trainee have a thorough understanding of his future plans and that he is satisfied
in his own mind that he is ready for the next step in his rehabilitation program.
e. Records of Center Program –
The center workshop and agricultural projects should maintain and preserve service, employment and
other operating records in sufficient detail to evaluate the capacities and limitations and his needs in
relation thereto, outline his program, chart his progress and record his ultimate disposition.
The employment records for each client should show, in addition to identifying information, the kind of
work performed, the hours worked (daily and weekly), the amount produced, the rate of pay, the amount
earned in cash and otherwise, the date of payment and the period covered. The amount of premium pay
for overtime work, cash subsidies or other cash assistance, deductions from wages, etc., should be
recorded as separate items.
In addition to the above records, which apply to both homebound clients and those working in the
workshop, each homebound client (or a person in the home of a homebound client) should maintain a
daily record of work performed. In addition to the identifying information, such record should show for
each workday the date, the starting and stopping times, the total hours worked, and the units produced.
This record should be submitted to the center at stated intervals and should become part of the
employment records.
All employment records should be preserved by the center for at least such periods as may be required
by the Social Welfare Administration.
The center project should have adequate accounting, operation, sales and other records essential to the
effective management of their responsible management board or committee at least quarterly. Their
books should be audited annually be a certified public accountant or government auditor designated for
that purpose.
Sec. 9. ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for vocational rehabilitation a person must:
(a) Be of work age.
(b) Have a substantial job handicap in the form of physical or mental impairment.
(c) Have a reasonably good chance of becoming employable or of getting more suitable job through
rehabilitation services.
AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS
Section 10. Money to be made available for the purpose of the Act shall be raised by:
(a) Authorizing the President of the Philippines to set aside an annual fund raising week to be known as
“Aid to the Blind and Handicapped Week.” Money realized from such fund raising campaign shall
constitute a trust fund to be known as “Blind and Handicapped Fund” which shall be under the control and
administration of the Social Welfare Administrator.
(b) Authorizing the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to hold, coincident with the fund raising week,
one special sweepstakes race the whole proceeds of which shall after deducting the payment of prizes
and expenses provided in Act Numbered Forty-one hundred thirty, as amended by Commonwealth Act
Numbered Five hundred forty-six, be turned over to the Social Welfare Administrator which shall
constitute a part of the said Blind and Handicapped Fund.
(c) Authorizing the appropriation out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated any
such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. The constitution of the Training
Center may be drawn from this allocation.
Section 11. DEFINITIONS
The following terms as used in this Act have the following meanings:
(a) Vocational rehabilitation or rehabilitation services. – Any service necessary to render a disabled
individual fit to engage in a remunerative occupation.
(b) Blind. – A person having visually acuity not to exceed 20/200 in the better eye with correcting lenses,
or visual acuity than 20/200 but with the limitation in the fields of vision such that the widest diameter of
the visual fields subtends an angle no greater than twenty degrees. But a person who is blind in one eye
only, or who has a visual acuity greater than 20/200 without a field defect shall not be considered blind for
the purposes of this Act.
(c) Disabled person. – Includes not only the blind but also persons, with substantial job handicap in the
form of physical or mental impairment.
Section 12. EFFECTIVITY
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved: June 19, 1954
RA 3562 – An Act To Promote The Education Of The Blind In The Philippines

AN ACT TO PROMOTE THE EDUCATION OF THE BLIND IN THE PHILIPIPINES
SECTION 1. There shall be established, under the supervision of the Director of Public Schools, a
residential school for the blind near the City of Manila, which shall known as the Philippine National
School for the Blind. Said school shall furnish instruction to the blind in the elementary level.
SECTION 2. Upon the establishment of the Philippine National School for the Blind, the School for the
Deaf and the Blind in Pasay City shall cease to give instruction to the blind, and all its blind students, its
equipment and facilities being used in the instruction of the blind, and members of the faculty teaching the
blind shall be transferred to the Philippine National School for the Blind.
SECTION 3. There shall be established, under the supervision and control of the Director of Public
Schools a Teacher-Training Center to train teachers for the blind. The Philippine Normal College shall
provide room and other facilities for the said Center.
SECTION 4. The Secretary of Education shall issue such rules and regulations as may be necessary to
implement the provisions of this Act.
SECTION 5. There is hereby appropriated, out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise
appropriated, the sum of five hundred thousand pesos to carry out the provisions of this Act for the fiscal
year nineteen hundred and sixty-four, including the purchase of site and the construction of buildings for
the Philippine National School for the Blind. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the operation and
maintenance of the said school and center shall be included in the annual General Appropriation Acts.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved, June 21, 1963.
RA 4564 – An Act Authorizing The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office To Hold Annually One Special
Sweepstakes Race For The Exclusive Use Of The Office Of Vocational Rehabilitation, Social Welfare
Administrations, In Its Development And Expansion Program For The Physically Disabled Throughout
The Philippines.
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE PHILIPPINE CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES OFFICE TO HOLD ANNUALLY
ONE SPECIAL SWEEPSTAKES RACE FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF THE OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL
REHABILITATION, SOCIAL WELFARE ADMINISTRATION, IN ITS DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION
PROGRAM FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES.
SECTION 1. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office is hereby authorized to hold annually on special
sweepstakes horse race, the whole proceeds of which shall, after deducting the payment of the prizes
and expenses, be turned over to the Social Welfare Administration for the exclusive use of the Office of
Vocational Rehabilitation in its development and expansion program for the physically disabled
throughout the Philippines: provided, however, that the expenditures of such proceeds shall be subject to
government accounting and/or auditing procedures and regulations in the disbursement of public funds.
Approved: June 19, 1965
RA 5250 – An Act Establishing A Ten-Year Training Program For Teachers Of Special And Exceptional
Children In The Philippines And Authorizing The Appropriation Of Funds Thereof.
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TEN-YEAR TRAINING PROGRAM FOR TEACHERS OF SPECIAL AND
EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN IN THE PHILIPPINES AND AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF
FUNDS THEREOF.
SECTION 1. There is hereby established, under the administration and supervision of the Bureau of
Public Schools, in cooperation with the University of the Philippines, the Philippine Normal College, and
the School for the Deaf and the Blind, a ten-year program for the training of special and exceptional
children. (As amended by R.A. No. 6067, August 4, 1969).
SECTION 2. The term special and exceptional children shall include the mentally retarded, the crippled,
the deaf and hard of hearing, the speech handicapped, the socially and emotionally disturbed and the
gifted.
SECTION 3. The institutions of learning chosen by the Department of Education to carry out the training
of teachers for this program shall grant the necessary credit.
SECTION 4. All expenses to be incurred therefore such as tuition and other fees, stipends of teacher
trainees development and training abroad of members of the faculty of the cooperating institutions and
those of the special education staff of the General Office, Bureau of Public Schools, and other expenses
incident to the implementation of this Act shall be charged against the funds of the program and shall be
disbursed by the Director of Public Schools: Provided, That the expenses for development and training
abroad shall not exceed ten per centum of the total appropriation provided in Republic Act Numbered Five
thousand two hundred and fifty. (As amended by R.A. No. 6067, August 4, 1969).
SECTION 5. The program shall as far as practicable, include the setting up of pilot classes, for special
and exceptional children in regular schools with the end in view of integrating said children into the regular
school program and of encouraging socialization.
The program shall set up projects in such a way that special education shall be conducted within the
facilities of regular schools whenever possible.
The program shall also set up research and survey projects to identify and locate exceptional children in
need of its services.
SECTION 6. A number of scholarships shall be created every year for ten year for prospective teachers
who shall undertake the training courses. The coordinator of the program shall see to it that scholarship
grantees and teacher trainees under the program are intellectually and emotionally prepared to handle
special education.
SECTION 7. The Secretary of Education shall issue such rules and regulations and shall employ such
specialists as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this Act.
SECTION 8. The sum of three hundred fifty thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out
of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated to carry out the provisions of this Act for
the fiscal year nineteen hundred and sixty-eight. Thereafter, such sums as are necessary for the
operation of said training program shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Approved, June 15, 1968.
RA 6759 – An Act Declaring August One Of Each Year As White Cane Safety Day In The Philippines And
For Other Purposes
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
Metro Manila
Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday
the twenty-fourth Day of July, nineteen hundred and eighty-nine.
AN ACT DECLARING AUGUST ONE OF EACH YEAR AS WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY IN THE
PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
SECTION 1. Short Title. “ This act shall be known as the White Cane Act”.
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is declared to be the policy of the State to promote and protect the
physical, moral, and social well-being of all handicapped persons, such as the blind, and to undertake
studies on specific causes of high percentage of blind people in the Philippines.
SECTION 3. White Cane Safety Day. August One of each year is hereby declared as White Cane Safety
Day for the purposes of instilling public awareness of the plight of the blind, promoting recognition and
acceptance of the “white cane” as a symbol of the need of the blind for specific assistance and as a
reminder of the individual’s duty to care for and accord due respect to his unfortunate brethren.
SECTION 4. Observation; Education and Information. The White Cane Safety Day shall be appropriately
observed, Towards this end, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the Department of Health
and the Philippine Information Agency shall conduct a continuing education and information campaign to
achieve the purposes as stated in Section Three of this Act.
SECTION 5. Government Agencies; Rules and Regulations – The Department of Education, Culture and
Sports shall, in consultation with the Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and
Development, issue rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
SECTION 6. Effectivity – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in a
newspaper of general circulation.
Approved:
(SGD.) RAMON V. MITRA
(SGD.) JOVITO R. SALONGA
This Act which originated in the Senate was finally passed by the senate and the House of
Representatives on August 29, 1989 and August 17, 1989, respectively
(SGD.) QUIRINO D. ABAD SANTOS, JR.
Secretary of the House of Representatives
(SGD.) EDWIN P. ACOBA
Approved: September 18, 1989
(SGD.) CORAZON C. AQUINO
RA 7277 – An Act Providing For The Rehabilitation, Self-Development And Self-Reliance Of Disabled
Person And Their Integration Into The Mainstream Of Society And For Other Purposes.
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
Metro Manila
Fifth Regular Session
BEGUN AND HELD IN METRO MANILA, ON MONDAY, THE TWENTY SECOND DAY OF JULY,
NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-ONE.
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REHABILITATION, SELF-DEVELOPMENT AND SELF-RELIANCE OF
DISABLED PERSON AND THEIR INTEGRATION
INTO THE MAINSTREAM OF SOCIETY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
TITLE ONE GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER I Basic Principle
SECTION 1. Title: This Act shall be known and cited as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy: The grant of the rights and privileges for disabled persons shall be
guided by the following principles:
(a). Disabled persons are part of the Philippine society, thus the Senate shall give full support to the
improvement of the total well-being of disabled persons and their integration into the mainstream of
society.
Toward this end, the State shall adopt policies ensuring the rehabilitation, self-development and self-
reliance of disabled persons.
It shall develop their skills and potentials to enable them to compete favorably for available opportunities.
(b). Disabled persons have the same rights as other people to take their proper place in society. They
should be able to live freely and as independently as possible. This must be the concern of everyone
the family, community and all government and non-government organizations. Disabled person’s rights
must never be perceived as welfare services by the Government.
(c). The rehabilitation of the disabled persons shall be the concern of the Government in order to foster
their capability to attain a more meaningful, productive and satisfying life. To reach out to a greater
number of disabled persons, the rehabilitation services and benefits shall be expanded beyond the
traditional urban-based centers to community based programs, that will ensure full participation of
different sectors as supported by national and local government agencies.
(d). The State also recognizes the role of the private sector in promoting the welfare of disabled persons
and shall encourage partnership in programs that address their needs and concerns.
(e). To facilitate integration of disabled persons into the mainstream of society, the State shall advocate
for and encourage respect for disabled persons. The State shall exert all efforts to remove all social,
cultural, economic, environmental and attitudinal barriers that are prejudicial to disabled persons.
SECTION 3. Coverage: This Act shall covers all disabled persons and, to the extend herein provided,
departments, offices and agencies of the National Government or non-government organization involved
in the attainment of the objectives of this Act.
SECTION 4. Definition of Terms: For purposes of this Act, these terms are defined as follows:
(a). Disabled Persons are those suffering from restriction of different abilities, as a result of a mental,
physical or sensory impairment, to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered
normal for a human being;
(b). Impairment is any loss, diminution or aberration of psychological, physiological, or anatomical
structure of function;
(c). Disability shall mean (1) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more
psychological, physiological or anatomical function of an individual or activities of such individual; (2) a
record of such an impairment; or (3) being regarded as having such an impairment;
(d). Handicap refers to a disadvantage for a given individual resulting from an impairment or a disability,
that limits or prevents the functions or activity, that is considered normal given the age and sex of the
individual;
(e). Rehabilitation is an integrated approach to physical, social, cultural, spiritual, educational and
vocational measures that create conditions for the individual to attain the highest possible level of
functional ability;
(f). Social Barriers refer to the characteristics of institutions, whether legal, economic, cultural, recreational
or other, any human group, community, or society which limit the fullest possible participation of disabled
persons in the life of the group. Social barriers include negative attitudes which tends to single out and
exclude disabled persons and which distort roles and interpersonal relationship;
(g). Auxiliary Aids and Services include:
1) qualified interpreters or other effective methods of delivering materials to individuals with hearing
impairments;
2) qualified readers, taped tests, or other effective methods of delivering materials to individuals with
visual impairments;
3) acquisition or modification of equipment or devices; and
4) other similar services and actions or all types of aids and services that facilitate the learning process of
people with mental disability;
(h). Reasonable Accommodation include (1) improvement of existing facilities used by employees in order
to render these readily accessible to and usable by disabled persons; and (2) modification of work
schedules, reassignment to a vacant position, acquisition or modification of equipment or devices,
appropriate adjustments or modifications of examinations, training materials or company policies, rules
and regulations, the provisions of auxiliary aids and services, and other similar accommodations for
disabled persons;
(i). Sheltered Employment refers to the provision of productive work for disabled persons through
workshop providing special facilities, income producing projects or homework schemes with a view to
given them the opportunity to earn a living thus enabling them to acquire a working capacity required in
open industry.
(j). Auxiliary Social Services are the supportive activities in the delivery of social services to the
marginalized sectors of society;
(k). Marginalized Disabled Persons refer to disabled persons who lack access to rehabilitative services
and opportunities to be able to participate fully in socioeconomic activities and who have no means of
livelihood or whose incomes fall below poverty threshold;
(l). Qualified Individual with a Disability shall mean an individual with a disability who, with or without
reasonable accommodations, can perform the essential functions of the employment position that such
individual holds or desires. However, consideration shall be given to the employer’s judgement as to what
functions of a job are essential, and if an employer has prepared a written description before advertising
or interviewing applicants for the job, this description shall be considered evidence of the essential
functions of the job;
(m). Readily Achievable means a goal can be easily attained and carried out without much difficulty or
expense. In determining whether an action is readily achievable, factors to be considered include
1) the nature and cost of the action;
2) the overall financial resources of the facility or facilities involved in the action; the number of persons
employed at such facility; the effect on expenses and resources, or the impact otherwise of such action
upon the operation of the facility;
3) the overall financial resources of the covered entity with respect to the number of its employees; the
number, type and location of its facilities; and
4) the type of operation or operations of the covered entity, including the composition, structure and
functions of the work force of such entity; the geographic separateness, administrative or fiscal
relationship of the facilities in question to the covered entity;
(n). Public Transportation means transportation by air, land and sea that provides the public with general
or special service on a regular and continuing basis;
(o). Covered entity means employer, employment agency, labor organization or joint labor-management
committee; and
(p). Commerce shall be taken to mean a s travel, trade, traffic, commerce, transportation, or
communication among the provinces or between any foreign country or any territory or possession and
any province.
TITLE TWO RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF DISABLED PERSONS
CHAPTER I – Employment
SECTION 5. Equal Opportunity for Employment : No disabled persons shall be denied access to
opportunities for suitable employment. A qualified disabled employee shall be subject to the same terms
and conditions of employment and the same compensation, privileges, benefits, fringe benefits, incentives
or allowances as a qualified able-bodied person. Five percent (5%) of all casual, emergency and
contractual positions in the Department of Social Welfare and Development; Health; Education, Culture
and Sports; and other government agencies, offices or corporations engaged in social development shall
be reserved for disabled persons.
SECTION 6. Sheltered Employment : If suitable employment for disabled persons cannot be found
through open employment as provided in the immediately preceding Section, the State shall endeavor to
provide it by means of sheltered employment. In the placement of disabled persons in sheltered
employment, it shall accord due regard to the individual qualities, vocational goals and inclinations to
ensure a good working atmosphere and efficient production.
SECTION 7. Apprenticeship : Subject to the provision of the Labor Code as amended, disabled persons
shall be eligible as apprentices or learners; Provided, That their handicap is not much as to effectively
impede the performance of job operations in the particular occupation for which they are hired; Provided,
further, That after the lapse of the period of apprenticeship if found satisfactory in the job performance,
they shall be eligible for employment.
SECTION 8. Incentives for Employer :
(a) To encourage the active participation of the private sector in promoting the welfare of disabled
persons and to ensure gainful employment for qualified disabled persons, adequate incentives shall be
provided to private entities which employ disabled persons.
(b). Private entities that employ disabled persons who meet the required skills or qualifications, either as
regular employee, apprentice or learner, shall be entitled to an additional deduction, from their gross
income, equivalent to twenty-five percent (25%) of the total amount paid as salaries and wages to
disabled persons: Provided, however, That such entities present proof as certified by the Department of
Labor and Employment that disabled person are under their employ. Provided, further, That the disabled
employee is accredited with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Health as
to his disability, skills and qualifications.
(c). Private entities that improved or modify their physical facilities in order to provide reasonable
accommodation for disabled persons shall also be entitled to an additional deduction from their net
taxable income, equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of the direct costs of the improvements or modifications.
This section, however, does not apply to improvements or modifications of facilities required under Batas
Pambansa Bilang 344.
SECTION 9. Vocational Rehabilitation : Consistent with the principle of equal opportunity for disabled
workers and workers in general, the State shall take appropriate vocational rehabilitation measures that
shall serve to develop the skills and potential of disabled persons and enable them to compete favorably
for available productive and remunerative employment opportunities in the labor market. The State shall
also take measures to ensure the provisions of vocational rehabilitation and livelihood services for
disabled persons in the rural areas. In addition, it shall promote cooperation and coordination between the
government and non-government organization and other private entities engaged in vocational
rehabilitation activities.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development shall design and implement training programs that
will provide disabled persons with vocational skills to enable them to engage in livelihood activities or
obtain gainful employment. The Department of Labor and Employment shall likewise design and conduct
training programs geared towards providing disabled persons with skills for livelihood.
SECTION 10. Vocational Guidance and Counselling : The Department of Social Welfare and
Development shall implement measures providing and evaluating vocational guidance and counselling to
enable disabled persons to secure, retain and advance in employment. It shall ensure the availability and
training counsellors and other suitability qualified staff responsible for the vocational guidance and
counselling of disabled persons.
SECTION 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations : The Department of Labor and Employment shall in
coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and National Council for
the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP), shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to
implement the provision under this Chapter.
CHAPTER 2 – Education
SECTION 12. Access to Quality Education : The State shall ensure that disabled persons are provided
with adequate access to quality education and ample opportunities to develop their skills. It shall take
appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all disabled persons. It shall be unlawful for any
learning institutions to deny a disabled person admission to any course it offers by reason of handicap or
disability. The State shall take into consideration the special requirements of disabled persons in the
formulation of education policies and program. It shall encourage learning institutions to take into account
the special needs of disabled persons with respect to the use of school facilities, class schedules,
physical education requirements and other pertinent consideration. The State shall also promote the
provision by learning institutions, of auxiliary services that will facilitate the learning process for disabled
persons.
SECTION 13. Assistance to Disabled Students : The State shall provide financial assistance to
economically marginalized but deserving disabled students pursuing post secondary or tertiary education.
Such assistance may be in the form of scholarship grants, student loan programs, subsidies, and other
incentives to qualified disabled students in both public and private schools. At least five percent (5%) of
the allocation for the Private Education Student Financial Assistance Program created by virtue of R.A.
6728 shall be set aside for disabled students pursuing vocational or technical and degree courses.
SECTION 14. Special Education : The State shall establish, maintain and support a complete, adequate
and integrated system of special education for the visually impaired, hearing impaired, mentally retarded
persons and other type of exceptional children in all regions of the country. Towards this end, the
Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall establish special education classes in public schools in
cities, or municipalities. It shall also establish, where viable, Braille and Record Libraries in provinces,
cities or municipalities. The National Government shall allocate funds necessary for the effective
implementation of the special education program nationwide. Local government units may likewise
appropriate counterpart funds to supplement national funds.
SECTION 15. Vocational or Technical and Other Training Programs : The State provide disabled persons
with training in civics, vocational efficiency, sports and physical fitness, and other skills. The Department
of Education, Culture and Sports shall establish in at least one government-owned vocational and
technical school in every province a special vocational and technical training program for disabled
persons. It shall develop and implement sports and physical fitness program specifically designed for
disabled persons taking into consideration the nature of their handicap.
SECTION 16. Non-Formal Education : The State shall develop nonformal education programs intended
for the total human development of disabled persons. It shall provide adequate resources for non-formal
education programs and projects that cater to the special needs of disabled persons.
SECTION 17. State Universities and Colleges : If viable and needed, the State Universities or State
Colleges in each region or province shall be responsible for (a) the development of material appliances
and technical aids for disabled persons; (b) the development of training materials for vocational
rehabilitation and special education instructions; and (c) the research on special problems, particularly of
the visually-impaired, hearing-impaired, and orthopedically-impaired students, mentally retarded, and
multi-handicapped and other, and the elimination of social barriers and discrimination against disabled
persons; and (d) inclusion of the Special Education for Disabled (SPED) course in the curriculum. The
National Government shall provide these state universities and colleges with the necessary special
facilities for visually-impaired, hearing impaired, speech impaired, and orthopedically-impaired students. It
shall likewise allocate the necessary funds in support of the above.
CHAPTER 3 – Health
SECTION 18. National Health Program : The Department of Health, in coordination with National Council
for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, shall institute a national health program which shall aim to attain the
following:
(a). prevention of disability, whether occurring prenatally or post-natally;
(b). recognition and early diagnosis of disability; and
(c). early rehabilitation of the disabled.
SECTION 19. Rehabilitation Centers : The Department of Health shall establish medical rehabilitation
centers in government provincial hospitals, and shall include it annual appropriation the necessary funds
for the operation of such centers. The Department of Health shall formulate and implement a program to
enable marginalized disabled persons to avail of free rehabilitation services in government hospitals.
SECTION 20. Health Services : The State shall protect and promote the right to health of disabled
persons and shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to their health development which
shall make essential health services available to them at affordable cost. The National Government shall
provide an integrated health service for disabled persons which shall include, but not limited to, the
following:
(a). prevention of disability through immunization, nutrition, environmental protection and preservation,
and genetic counselling; and early detection of disability and timely intervention to arrest disabling
condition; and
(b). medical treatment and rehabilitation. The Department of Health shall field medical personnel
specializing in the treatment and rehabilitation of disabled persons to provincial hospitals and, when
viable, to municipal health centers. It shall also train its field health personnel in the provision of medical
attention to disabled persons. It shall further ensure that its field health units have the necessary
capabilities to fit prosthetic and orthotic appliances on disabled persons.
CHAPTER 4 Auxiliary Social Services
SECTION 21. Auxiliary Social Services : The State shall ensure that marginalized persons are provided
with the necessary auxiliary services that will restore their social functioning and participation in
community affairs. Toward this end, the Department of Social Welfare and Development shall develop
and implement programs on auxiliary social services that respond to the needs of marginalized disabled
persons. The components of such a program shall be as follows:
(a). assistance in the acquisition of prosthetic devices and medical intervention of specialty services;
(b). provision of specialized training activities designed to improved functional limitations of disabled
persons related to communications skills;
(c). development among disabled persons of a positive self-image through the provision of counselling,
orientation and mobility and strengthening daily living capability;
(d). provision of family care services geared towards developing the capability of families to respond to
the needs of the disabled members of the family;
(e). provision of substitute family care services and the facilities therefore for abandoned, neglected,
abused and unattached disabled persons who need custodial care;
(f). provision of after care and follow-up services for the continued rehabilitation in a community-based
setting of disabled persons who were released from the residential care or rehabilitation center; and
(g). provision of day care services for disabled children of pre-school age.
CHAPTER 5 – Telecommunications
SECTION 22. Broadcast Media : Television stations shall be encouraged to provide a sign language inset
or subtitles in at least one (1) newscast program a day and special program covering events of national
significance.
SECTION 23. Telephone Services : All telephone companies shall be encouraged to install special
telephone devices or units for the hearing-impaired and ensure that they are commercially available to
enable them to communicate through the telephone system.
SECTION 24. Free Postal Charges for the Disabled : Postal charges shall be free on the following:
(a). article and literature like books and periodicals, orthopedic and other devices, and teaching aids for
the use of the disabled sent by mail within the Philippines and abroad; and
(b). aids and orthopedic devices for the disabled sent abroad by mail for repair; Provided, That the
aforesaid items are for personal purposes only: Provided further, That the disabled person is a
marginalized disabled as certified by the Social Welfare and Development Office of the local government
unit concerned or the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
CHAPTER 6 – Accessibility
SECTION 25. Barrier-Free Environment : The State shall ensure the attainment of a barrier-free
environment that will enable disabled persons to have access in public and private buildings and
establishments and such other places mentioned in Batas Pambansa Bilang 344, otherwise known as
the Accessibility Law. The national and local government shall allocate funds for the provision of
architectural or structural features for disabled persons in government buildings and facilities.
SECTION 26. Mobility : The State promote the mobility of disabled persons. Disabled persons shall be
allowed to drive motor vehicles, subject to the rules and regulations issued by the Land Transportation
Office pertinent to the nature of their disability and the appropriate adaptations or modifications made on
such vehicles.
SECTION 27. Access to Public Transport Facilities : The Department of Social Welfare and Development
shall develop a program to assist marginalized disabled persons gain access in the use of public transport
facilities. Such assistance may be in the form of subsidized transportation fare. The said department shall
also allocate such funds as may be necessary for the effective implementation of the public transport
program for the disabled persons. The Accessibility Law as amended, shall be made supplementary to
this Act.
SECTION 28. Implementing Rules and Regulations : The Department of Transportation and
Communications shall formulate the rules and regulations necessary to implement the provision of this
Chapter.
CHAPTER 7 Political and Civil Rights
SECTION 29. System of Voting : Disabled persons shall be allowed to be assisted by a person of his
choice in voting in the national or local elections. The person thus chosen shall prepare ballot for the
disabled voter inside the voting booth. The person assisting shall bind himself in a formal document under
oath to fill out the ballot strictly in accordance with the instructions of the voter and not to reveal the
contents of the ballot prepared by him. Violation of this provision shall constitute an election offense.
Polling places should be made accessible to disabled persons during the national or local elections.
SECTION 30. Right to Assemble : Consistent with the provisions of the Constitution, the State shall
recognize the right of disabled persons to participate in processions, rallies, parades, demonstrations,
public meetings, and assemblages or other forms of mass or concerted action held in public.
SECTION 31. Right to Organize : The State recognize the rights of disabled persons to form
organizations or associations that promote their welfare and advance or safeguard their interests. The
National Government, through its agencies, instrumentalities and subdivisions, shall assist disabled
persons in establishing self-help organizations by providing them with necessary technical and financial
assistance. Concerned government agencies and offices shall establish close linkages with organizations
of disabled persons in order to respond expeditiously to the needs of disabled persons. National line
agencies and local government units shall assist disabled persons in setting up specific projects that will
be managed like business propositions. To ensure the active participation of disabled persons in the
social economic development of the country, their organizations shall be encouraged to participate in the
planning, organization and management of government programs and projects for disabled persons.
Organizations of disabled persons shall participate in the identification and preparation of programs that
shall serve to develop employment opportunities for the disabled persons.
TITLE THREE PROHIBITION ON DISCRIMINATION AGAINST DISABLED PERSONS
CHAPTER 1 Discrimination on Employment
SECTION 32. Discrimination on Employment : No entity, whether public or private, shall discriminate
against a qualified disabled person by reason of disability in regard to job application procedures, the
hiring, promotion, or discharge of employees, employee compensation, job training, and other terms,
conditions, and privileges of employment. The following constitute acts of discrimination:
(a). Limiting, segregating or classifying a disabled job applicant in such a manner that adversely affects
his work opportunities;
(b). Using qualification standards, employment tests or other selection criteria that screen out or tend to
screen out a disabled person unless such standards, tests or other selection criteria are shown to be
jobrelated for the position on question and are consistent with business necessity;
(c). Utilizing standards, criteria, or methods of administration that:
1). have the effect of discrimination on the basis of disability; or
2). perpetuate the discrimination of others who are subject to common administrative control;
(d). Providing less compensation, such as salary, wage or other forms of remuneration and fringe
benefits, to a qualified disabled employee, by reason of his disability, than the amount to which a non-
disabled person performing the same work is entitled;
(e). Favoring a non-disabled employee over a qualified disabled employee with respect to promotion,
training opportunities, study and scholarship grants, solely on account of the latter’s disability;
(f). Re-assigning or transferring a disabled employee to a job or position he cannot perform by reason of
his disability;
(g). Dismissing or terminating the services of a disabled employee by reason of his disability unless the
employer can prove that he impairs the satisfactory performance of the work involve to the prejudice of
the business entities; Provided, however, That the employer first sought provide reasonable
accommodations for disabled persons;
(h). Failing to select or administer in the effective manner employment tests which accurately reflect the
skills, aptitude or other factor of the disabled applicant or employee that such test purports to measure,
rather than the impaired sensory, manual or speaking skills of such applicant or employee, if any; and
(i). Excluding disabled persons from membership in labor unions or similar organization.
SECTION 33. Employment Entrance Examination : Upon an offer of employment, a disabled applicant
may be subjected to medical examination, on the following occasions:
(a). all entering employees are subjected to such an examination regardless of disability;
(b). information obtained during the medical condition or history of the applicant is collected and
maintained on separate forms and in separate medical files and is treated as a confidential medical
record, Provided, however, That:
1). supervisors and managers may be informed regarding necessary restrictions on the work or duties of
the employees and necessary accommodations;
2). first aid and safety personnel my be informed, when appropriate, if the disability might require
emergency treatment;
3). government officials investigating compliance with this Act shall be provided relevant information on
request; and
4). the results of such examination are used only accordance with this Act.
CHPTER 2 Discrimination on Transportation
SECTION 34. Public Transportation : It shall be considered discrimination for the franchises or operators
and personnel of sea, land, and air transportation facilities to charge higher fare or to refuse to convey a
passenger, his orthopedic devices, personal effects, and merchandise by reason of his disability.
CHAPTER 3 Discrimination on the Use of Public Accommodations and Services
SECTION 35. Public Accommodations and Services : For purposes of this Chapter, public
accommodations and services shall include the following:
(a). an inn, hotel, motel, or other place of lodging, except for an establishment located within a building
that contains not more than five (5) rooms for rent or hire and that is actually occupied by the proprietor of
such establishment as the residence of such proprietor;
(b). a restaurant, bar or other establishment serving food or drink;
(c). a motion picture, theater, concert hall, stadium, or other place of exhibition or entertainment;
(d). an auditorium, convention center, lecture hall, or other place of public gathering;
(e). a bakery, grocery store, hardware store, shopping center, or other sales or rental establishment;
(f). a bank, barber-shop, beauty-shop, travel service, funeral parlor, gas station, office of a lawyer,
pharmacy, insurance office, professional office of a health care provider, hospital or other service
establishment;
(g). a terminal, depot, or other station used for specified public transportation;
(h). a museum, gallery, library or other place of public display or collection;
(i). a park, zoo, amusement park, or other place of recreation;
(j). a nursery, elementary, secondary, undergraduate, or post-graduate private school, or other place of
education;
(k). a gymnasium, health spa, bowling alley, golf course; or
(l). other place of exercise or recreation.
SECTION 36. Discrimination on the Use of Public Accommodations
(a) No disabled persons shall be discriminated on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of
the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations of any place of public
accommodation by any person who owns, leases, or operates a place of public accommodation. The
following constitute acts of discrimination:
1). denying a disabled person, directly through contractual, licensing, or other arrangement, the
opportunity to participate in or benefit from the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or
accommodations of an entity by reason of his disability;
2). affording a disabled person, on the basis of his disability, directly or through contractual, licensing, or
other arrangement, with the opportunity to participate in or benefit from a good, service, facility, privilege,
advantage, or accommodation that is not equal to that afforded to other able-bodied persons; and
3). providing disability, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangement, with a good,
service, facility, advantages, privilege, or accommodation that is different or separate from that provided
to other able-bodied persons unless such action is necessary to provide the disabled person with a good,
service, facility, advantage, privilege or accommodation, or other opportunity that is as effective as that
provided to others;
For purpose of this section, the term individuals or class individuals refers to the clients or customers of
the covered public accommodation that enters into the contractual, licensing or other arrangement.
(b). Integrated Settings : Goods, services, facilities, advantages, and accommodations shall be afforded
to an individual with a disability in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of the individual.
(c). Opportunity to Participate : Not withstanding the existence of separate or different programs or
activities provided in accordance with this section, an individual with a disability shall not be denied the
opportunity to participate in such programs or activities that are not separate or different.
(d). Association : It shall be discriminatory to exclude or otherwise deny equal goods, services, facilities,
advantages, privileges, accommodations or other opportunities to an individual or entity because of the
known disability of an individual with whom the individual or entity is known to have a relationship or
association.
(e). Prohibitions : For purposes of this Section, the following shall be considered as discriminatory.
1). The imposition or application of eligibility criteria that screen out or tend to screen out an individual
with a disability or any class or individuals with disabilities from fully and equally enjoying and goods,
services, facilities, privileges, advantages, accommodations, unless such criteria can be shown to be
necessary for the provision of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, or accommodations being offered;
2). A failure to make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures, when such
modification are necessary to afford such goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or
accommodations to individuals with disabilities, unless the entity can demonstrate that making such
modification would fundamentally alter the nature of the goods, facilities, services, privileges, advantages,
or accommodations;
3). Failure to take steps as may be necessary to ensure that no individual with disability is excluded,
denied services, segregated or otherwise treated differently than other individuals because of the
absence of auxiliary aids and services, unless the entity can demonstrate that taking such steps would
fundamentally alter the nature of the good, service, facility, privilege or would result in undue burden;
4). A failure to remove architectural barriers, and communication barriers that are structural in nature, in
existing facilities, where such removal is readily achievable; and
5). Where an entity can demonstrate that the removal of a barrier under clause (4) is not readily
achievable, a failure to make such goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations
available through alternative methods if such methods are readily achievable.
SECTION 37. Use of Government Recreational or Sports Centers
Free of Charge : Recreational or sports centers owned or operated by the Government shall be used, free
of charge, by marginalized disabled persons during their social, sports or recreation activities.
SECTION 38. Implementing Rules and Regulations : The Department of Public Works and Highway shall
formulate the rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Chapter.
TITLE FOUR FINAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 39. Housing Program : The National Government shall take into consideration in its national
shelter programs the special housing requirement of disabled persons.
SECTION 40. Role of National Agencies and Local Government Units : Local government units shall
promote the establishment of organizations of disabled persons in their respective territorial jurisdictions.
National agencies and local government units may enter into joint ventures with organizations or
associations of disabled persons to explore livelihood opportunities and other undertaking that shall
enhance the health, physical fitness and the economic and social well-being of disabled persons.
SECTION 41. Support From Non-government Organizations : Non-government organizations or private
volunteer organizations dedicated to the purpose of promoting and enhancing the welfare of disabled
persons shall, as they, are hereby encouraged, become partners of the Government in the
implementation of vocational rehabilitation measures and other related programs and projects.
Accordingly, their participation in the implementation of said measures, program and projects is to be
extended all possible support by the Government. The Government shall sponsor a volunteer service
program which shall harness the involvement of private individual in the provision of assistance to
disabled persons.
SECTION 42. Tax Incentives :
(a) Any donation, bequest, subsidy or financial aid which may be made to government agencies engaged
in the rehabilitation of disabled persons and organizations of disabled persons shall be exempt form the
donor’s tax subject to the provisions of Section 94 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), as
amended and shall be allowed as deduction from the donor’s gross income for purposes of computing the
taxable income subject to the provisions of Section 29 (h) of the Code.
(b). Donations from foreign countries shall be exempt from taxes and duties on importation subject to the
provisions of Section 105 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended, Section 103 of
the NIRC, as amended and other relevant laws and international agreements.
(c). Local manufacturing of technical aids and appliances used by disabled persons shall be considered
as a preferred area of investment subject to the provisions of Executive Order No. 226 otherwise known
as the Omnibus Investments Code of 1987 and, as such, shall enjoy the rights, privileges and incentives
as provided in said Code such as, but not limited, to the following:
1). repatriation of investments;
2). remittance of earnings;
3). remittance of payments on foreign contracts;
4). freedom from expropriations;
5). freedom from requisition of investment;
6). income tax holiday;
7). additional deduction for labor expense;
8). tax and duty exemption on imported capital equipment;
9). tax credit on domestic capital equipment;
10). exemption from contractor’s tax;
11). simplification of customs procedures;
12). unrestricted use of consigned equipment;
13). employment of foreign nationals;
14). tax credits for taxes and duties on raw materials;
15). access to bonded manufacturing/trading warehouse system;
16). exemption from taxes and duties on imported spare parts; and
17). Exemption from wharfage dues and any export tax, duty, impost and free.
SECTION 43. Continuity Clause : Should any department or agency tasked with the enforcement or
formulation of rules and regulations and guidelines for implementation of any provisions of this Act is
abolished, merge with another department or agency or modified, such shall not affect the enforcement or
formulation of rules, regulations and guidelines for implementation of this Act to the effect that
(a). In case of abolition, the department or agency established to replace the abolished department or
agency shall take-over the functions under this Act of the abolished department or agency.
(b). In case of the department or agency tasked with the enforcement of formulation of rules, regulations
and guidelines for implementation of this Act is merged with another department or agency, the former
shall continue the functions under this Act of the merged department or agency.
(c). In case of modification, the department or agency modified shall continue the functions under this Act
of the department or agency that has undergone modification.
SECTION 44. Enforcement by the Secretary of Justice
(a). Denial of Right
1). Duty to Investigate : The Secretary of Justice shall investigate alleged violations of this Act, and shall
undertake periodic reviews of compliance of covered entities under this Act.
(b). Potential Violations : If the Secretary of Justice has reasonable cause to believe that
1). any person or group of persons is engaged in a pattern of practice of discrimination under this Act; or
2). any person or group of persons has been discriminated against under this Act and such discrimination
raises and issue of general public importance, the Secretary of Justice may commence a legal action in
any appropriate court.
SECTION 45. Authority of Court : The court may grant any equitable relief that such court considers to be
appropriate, including, to the extent required by this Act:
(a). granting temporary, preliminary or permanent relief;
(b). providing an auxiliary aid or service, modification of policy, practice or procedure, or alternative
method; and
(c). making facilities readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.
SECTION 46. Penal Clause :
(a) Any person who violates any provision of this Act shall suffer the following penalties:
1). for the first violation, a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P 50,000.00) but not exceeding One
hundred thousand pesos(P 100,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than
two (2) years, or both at the discretion of the court; and
2). for any subsequent violation, a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P 100,000.00) but
not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (P 200,000.00) or imprisonment for less than two (2) years
but not more than six (6) years, or both at the discretion of the court.
(b). Any person who abuses the privileges granted herein shall be punished with imprisonment of not less
than six (6) months or a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P 5,000.00) but not more than Fifty
thousand pesos (P 50,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court.
(c). If the violator is a corporation, organization or any similar entity, the officials thereof directly involved
shall be liable therefor.
(d). If the violator is an alien or a foreigner, he shall be deported immediately after service of sentence
without further deportation proceedings.
SECTION 47. Appropriations : The amount necessary to carry out the provision of this Act shall be
included in the General Appropriation Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.
SECTION 48. Separability Clause : Should any provision of this Act be found unconstitutional by a court
of law, such provisions shall be severed from the remainder of the Act, and such action shall not affect the
enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Act.
SECTION 49. Repealing Clause : All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders and rules and
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 50. Effectivity : This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in any two (2)
newspaper of general circulation.
Approved:
Signed)
RAMON V. MITRA
(Signed)
NEPTALI A. GONZALES
This bill which is consolidation of Senate Bill No, 1286 and House Bill 35091, was finally passed by the
Senate and the House of Representatives on January 22, 1992 and January 16, 1992, respectively.
(Signed)
CAMILO L. SABIO
(Signed)
ANACLETO D. BADOY, JR.
Approved: March 24, 1992
(Signed)
CORAZON C. AQUINO
RA 9433 – An Act Providing For A Magna Carta For Public Social Workers
Metro Manila
Thirteenth Congress
April 11, 2007
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA FOR PUBLIC SOCIAL WORKERS
SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the Magna Carta for Public Social Workers”.
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State shall promote and improve the social and economic well-being
of public social workers, their living and working conditions, and terms of employment. It shall develop
their skills and capabilities to make them more responsive to the needs and problems of their clients and
better equipped in delivering social services and programs. The State shall likewise encourage those with
proper qualifications and excellent abilities to apply and remain in social development work in the
government service.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean as follows:
‘Social Work’ – refers to the profession which helps individuals, families, groups, and communities
develop, improve, maintain or restore their capability for coping with the demands of their environment,
through the use of social work methods and interventions;
‘Registered Social Worker’ refers to a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Social Work or Master’s Degree
in Social Work and who has passed the social work licensure examination;
‘Public Social Worker’ refers to registered social worker employed in the government service;
‘Public Social Welfare and Development(b)Worker’ – refers to those employed in government social
welfare and development agencies;
‘CSC’ – refers to the Civil Service Commission;
‘DSWD’ – refers to the Department of Social Welfare and Development;
‘DOLE’ – refers to the Department of Labor and Employment;
‘DILG’ – refers to the Department of the Interior and Local Government;
‘NLRC’ – refers to the National Labor Relations Commission; and
‘PRC’ – refers to the Professional Regulations Commission.
SEC. 4. Coverage. – This Act shall cover all registered social workers employed in government service.
SEC. 5. Recruitment and Qualifications. The selection and appointment of social workers shall be in
accordance with the merit and fitness principle.
All government social work agencies and institutions shall be headed by registered social workers except
for cabinet and non-career positions. Priority shall be given to registered social workers in filling up social
work positions in the government.
SEC. 6. Merit Promotion and Career System. A Social Work Management and Consultative Council shall
be created to prepare a uniform career and personnel development plan applicable to public social
workers. Such career and personnel development plan shall include provision on merit promotion,
performance evaluation, in-service training grants, job rotation, incentive awards system and other
policies that govern the social security of the social workers.
SEC. 7. Composition. – The Social Work Management and Consultative Council shall be composed of
representatives of the DSWD, CSC, DILG, DOLE, Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI),
Association of Provincial/City and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer of the Philippines,
Inc. (APCMSWDOPI), the League of Provinces, League of Cities and League of Municipalities. The
Secretary of the DSWD or his/her representative shall be the head of the Council.
SEC. 8. Classification of Social Work Personnel. – The Social Work Management and Consultative
Council shall develop a career ladder and classification system for all social work positions in government
service: Provided, That all position classification shall carry Social Worker title.
SEC. 9. Code of Conduct. – All public social workers shall be guided by the Social Work Code of Ethics
as adopted by the Board of Social Work and as approved by the PRC within six months from the
effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 10. Normal Hours of Work. – The normal hours of work of any public social worker shall not exceed
eight hours a day or forty (40) hours a week. Hours of work shall include:
the time during which a public social worker is required to be on active duty or to be at a prescribed
workplace;
the time during which a public social worker is permitted to work; or
the time during which a public social worker is required in a place other than prescribed workplace;
Provided, That, the time when a public social worker is placed on ‘On Call’ status shall not be considered
as hours worked but sha11 entitle the public social worker to an ‘On Call’ pay equivalent to fifty percent
(50%) of his/her regular wage. ‘On Call’ status refers to a condition when public social workers are called
upon to respond to urgent or immediate need or relief work during emergencies such that he/she cannot
devote the time for his/her own use: Provided, further, That, no public social worker shall be placed in
‘On-Call’ status beyond seven days per month. Public social workers can also teach or practice their
profession after office hours.
SEC. 11. Overtime Work. – Where the exigencies of the service so require, any public social worker may
be required to render service beyond the normal eight hours a day, inclusive of Saturdays, Sundays or
nonworking holidays. In such a case, the public social worker shall be paid an additional compensation in
accordance with existing laws.
SEC. 12. Compensation. – The existing law on the salary scale of government employees shall apply in
determining the salaries of public social workers. In case of violations of this provision, the public social
worker concerned shall file the necessary complaint to the CSC or NLRC through the Social Work
Management and Consultative Council.
SEC. 13. Leave Benefits. – Public social workers shall be entitled to all leave benefits and privileges, such
as but not limited to maternity, paternity, vacation and sick leaves, as provided for under existing laws:
Provided, That upon separation of the public social workers from service, they shall be entitled to all
accumulated leave credits with pay.
SEC. 14. Highest Basic Salary Upon Retirement. – Upon retirement, a public social worker shall
automatically be granted an increase of one salary grade higher than his/her basic salary and his/her
retirement benefits shall be computed on the basis of his/her highest salary received.
SEC. 15. Other Benefits. – Aside from the benefits received as required under existing laws and
executive orders, the public social workers shall receive the following:
Hazard Allowance – Public social workers and public social welfare and development workers assigned in
remote and depressed areas, strife-torn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated stations, mental
hospitals, leprosaria, areas declared under a state of calamity or emergency which expose them to great
danger, volcanic activity/eruption, occupational risks or threats to life shall be compensated with hazard
allowance equivalent to at least twenty per centum (20%) of the monthly basic salary.
Subsistence/Transportation Allowance – Public social workers who are required to render services in
communities, institutions, hospitals and other social work establishments in order to make their services
available at all times, shall be entitled to daily full subsistence allowance for three meals which shall be
computed according to prevailing circumstances. Those assigned out of their regular work stations shall
be entitled to per diem in place of this allowance. Actual transportation allowance shall also be provided to
public social workers on field work.
Housing and Living Quarters Allowance – All public social workers who are transferred to another
assignment due to the exigency of the service shall be entitled to free housing within the agency
concerned: Provided, That, if living quarters are not available within the agency and the personnel has
his/her residence outside of fifty (50) kilometers radius from such government facility, he/she shall receive
a housing allowance, and: Provided, further, That the rate of such housing allowance shall be periodically
adjusted for inflation.
Longevity Pay – A monthly longevity pay equivalent to five per centum (5%) of his/her latest monthly
basic pay shall be paid to a public social worker for every five years of continuous, efficient and
meritorious service rendered as certified by the chief of office concerned, commencing with the service
after approval of this Act.
Clothing Allowance – All public social workers shall be entitled to a minimum of One thousand five
hundred pesos (P1,500.00) clothing allowance annually, which amount shall be adjusted as needed.
SEC. 16. Compensation From Injuries. Public social workers shall be protected against work-related
injuries in accordance with the Labor Code and Civil Service Law, as the case may be. Injuries incurred
while doing overtime work shall be presumed work-connected.
SEC. 17. Rights of a Public Social Worker. Public social workers shall have the following rights:
Protection from discrimination by reason of sex, sexual orientation, age, political or religious beliefs, civil
status, physical characteristics/disability, or ethnicity;
Protection from any form of interference, intimidation, harassment, or punishment, to include, but not
limited to, arbitrary reassignment or termination of service, in the performance of his/her duties and
responsibilities;
Join, organize, or assist organizations or unions for lawful purposes;
Protection from any act that will prevent his/her from applying professional interventions that the client’s
situation may require; and
Opportunities for continuing professional growth and development.
SEC. 18. Reassignment of Public Social Workers. Except in the interest of public service, no transfer or
geographical reassignment shall be made or effected without written notice to a public social worker:
Provided, That said written notice, stating the reasons for the reassignment, shall be made at least thirty
(30) days prior to the date of transfer or reassignment: Provided, further, That, if the public social worker
believes that there is no justification for the transfer and/or reassignment, he/she may appeal his/her case
to the CSC, which shall cause his/her transfer and/or reassignment to be held in abeyance: Provided,
furthermore, That reassignment coinciding with any local or national election shall be made in compliance
with Election Code and other existing laws and rules: Provided, finally, That the necessary expenses of
the transfer and/or reassignment of the public social worker and his/her immediate family shall be paid for
by the agency concerned.
SEC. 19. Married Public Social Workers. Whenever possible, the proper authorities shall take steps to
enable married couples, both of whom are public social workers, to be employed or assigned in the same
municipality, but not in the same office: Provided, That it shall not apply to married public social workers
already assigned in the same office at the time this law takes effect.
SEC. 20. Freedom from Interference or Coercion. It shall be unlawful for any person to commit any of the
following acts of interference or coercion:
To intimidate or force a public social worker to submit valuable documents that will violate the principles of
confidentiality of records agreed upon between him/her and the clientele groups: Provided, That the
release of such documents shall be approved by the clients concerned and shall redound to their social
well-being, and upon court order;
To prevent a public social worker from upholding and applying the basic social work principles in carrying
out the programs and services for the target client groups of the social work agency;
To intimidate in order to encourage or discourage membership in any social work organization or union;
To prevent a public social worker from carrying out his/her duties and functions in the social work
organization or union or to penalize the public social worker for any lawful action performed in that
capacity;
To make calculated harassment and interference with the intention of intimidating or preventing the public
social worker from performing his duties and functions;
To make calculated harassment against, or, to transfer, penalize or terminate the services of a public
social worker who is carrying out his/her advocacy function role for and in behalf of his/her clientele
groups who are victims of social injustice.
SEC. 21. Human Resource Development. The DSWD shall conduct a periodic human resource
development and management study in the following areas:
Adequate facilities and resources to render quality social service to their clientele;
Opportunities for public social workers to grow professionally and to develop their potentials and
experience a sense of worth and dignity in their work;
Mechanism for democratic consultations;
Staffing patterns and standards of social work to ensure that the clients receive quality care;
Upgrading of working conditions, reclassification of positions and salaries of public social workers to
correct the disparity vis-a-vis other professions;
Allocation of funds for the participation of public social workers in seminars, conferences, conventions and
similar activities as part of their continuing professional growth.
SEC. 22. Security of Tenure. No public social worker holding a permanent position shall be terminated
except for cause: Provided, That, in the event the public social worker is found to be unjustly dismissed by
the CSC or the NLRC; as the case may be, he/she shall be entitled to reinstatement without loss of
seniority rights and back wages with twelve per centum (12%) interest to be computed from the time
his/her compensation was withheld from him/her up to the time of reinstatement.
SEC. 23. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Social Work Management and Consultative Council,
upon consultation with the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural
Development and the Chairperson of the House Committee on Social Services, shall formulate the
necessary rules and regulations, not inconsistent with any provisions of this law, for the implementation of
the Magna Carta for Public Social Workers. The rules and regulations shall be promulgated within six
months from the effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 24. Penal Provision. Any person who shall willfully interfere with, restrain or coerce any public social
worker in the exercise of his/her rights or shall in any manner commit any act in violation of any of the
provisions of this Act, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty thousand
pesos (P20,000.00) but not more than Forty thousand pesos (P40,000.00) or imprisonment of not more
than one year, or both, at the discretion of the court. If the offender is a public official, the court, in addition
to the abovementioned penalties, may impose the additional penalty of disqualification from office.
SEC. 25. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the
remainder thereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
SEC 26. Repealing Clause. All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, other issuances or parts thereof
which are inconsistent with this law are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 27. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two
Approved,
(SGD.)FRANKLIN M. DRILON
(SGD.)JOSE DE VENECIA JR.
the House of Representatives and the Senate on February 8, 2007 and February 7, 2007, respectively.
(SGD.)OSCAR G. YABES
(SGD.)ROBERTO P. NAZARENO
Approved: April 11, 2007
(SGD.)GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
RA 9442 – An Act Amending Republic Act No. 7277, Otherwise Known As The “Magna Carta For
Disabled Persons, And For Other Purposes”
Metro Manila
Thirteenth Congress
Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-fourth day of July, two thousand and six.
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “MAGNA CARTA FOR
DISABLED PERSONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
SECTION 1. a new chapter, to be denominated as “Chapter 8. Other privileges and Incentives” is hereby
added to Title Two of Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Disabled
Persons”, with new Sections 32 and 33, to read as follows:
“CHAPTER 8. Other Privileges and Incentives
“SEC. 32. Persons with disability shall be entitled to the following:
(a) At least twenty percent (20%) discount from all establishments relative to the utilization of all services
in hotels and similar lodging establishments; restaurants and recreation centers for the exclusive use or
enjoyment of persons with disability;
(b) A minimum of twenty percent (20%) discount on admission fees charged by theaters, cinema houses,
concert halls, circuses, carnivals and other similar places of culture, leisure and amusement for the
exclusive use of enjoyment of persons with disability;
(c) At least twenty percent (20%) discount for the purchase of medicines in all drugstores for the exclusive
use or enjoyment of persons with disability;
(d) At least twenty percent (20%) discount on medical and dental services including diagnostic and
laboratory fees such as, but not limited to, x-rays, computerized tomography scans and blood tests, in all
government facilities, subject to guidelines to be issued by the Department of Health (DOH), in
coordination with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH);
(e) At least twenty percent (20%) discount on medical and dental services including diagnostic and
laboratory fees, and professional fees of attending doctors in all private hospitals and medical facilities, in
accordance with the rules and regulations to be issued by the DOH, in coordination with the
PHILHEALTH;
(f) At least twenty percent (20%) discount on fare for domestic air and sea travel for the exclusive use or
enjoyment of persons with disability;
(g) At least twenty percent (20%) discount in public railways, skyways and bus fare for the exclusive use
and enjoyment of person with disability;
(h) Educational assistance to persons with disability, for them to pursue primary, secondary, tertiary, post
tertiary, as well as vocational or technical education, in both public and private schools, through the
provision of scholarships, grants, financial aids, subsidies and other incentives to qualified persons with
disability, including support for books, learning material, and uniform allowance to the extent feasible:
Provided, That persons with disability shall meet minimum admission requirements;
(i) To the extent practicable and feasible, the continuance of the same benefits and privileges given by the
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), and PAG-IBIG, as the
case may be, as are enjoyed by those in actual service;
(j) To the extent possible, the government may grant special discounts in special programs for persons
with disability on purchase of basic commodities, subject to guidelines to be issued for the purpose by the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agricultural (DA); and
(k) Provision of express lanes for persons with disability in all commercial and government
establishments; in the absence thereof, priority shall be given to them.
The abovementioned privileges are available only to persons with disability who are Filipino citizens upon
submission of any of the following as proof of his/her entitlement thereto:
(I) An identification card issued by the city or municipal mayor or the barangay captain of the place where
the persons with disability resides;
(II) The passport of the persons with disability concerned; or
(III) Transportation discount fare Identification Card (ID) issued by the National Council for the Welfare of
Disabled Persons (NCWDP).
The privileges may not be claimed if the persons with disability claims a higher discount sa may be
granted by the commercial establishment and/or under other existing laws or in combination with other
discount programs/s.
The establishments may claim the discounts granted in sub-sections (a), (b), (c), (f) and (g) as tax
deductions based on the net cost of the goods sold or services rendered: Provided, further, That the total
amount of the claimed tax deduction net of value-added tax if applicable, shall be included in their gross
sales receipts for tax purposes and shall be subject to proper documentation and to the provisions of the
National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), as amended.”
SEC. 33. Incentives. – Those caring for and living with a person with disability shall be granted the
following incentives:
(a) Persons with disability shall be treated as dependents under the Section 35 (A) of the National Internal
Revenue Code, as amended and as such, individual taxpayers caring for them shall be accorded the
privileges granted by the code insofar as having dependents under the same section are concerned; and
(b) Individuals or nongovernmental institutions establishing homes, residential communities or retirement
villages solely to suit the needs and requirements of persons with disability shall be accorded the
following:
(i) Realty tax holiday for the first five years of operation; and
(ii) Priority in the building and/or maintenance of provincial or municipal roads leading to the aforesaid
home, residential community or retirement village.”
SEC. 2. Republic Act No. 7277 is hereby amended inserting a new title, chapter and section after Section
38 be denominated as title 4, chapters 1 and 2 and Sections 40, 41 and 42 to read as follows:
“Title Four
Prohibitions on Verbal, Non-verbal Ridicule and Vilification Against Persons with Disability
“CHAPTER 1. Deliverance from Public Ridicule
SEC. 39. Public Ridicule. – For purposes of this chapter, public ridicule shall be defined as an act of
making fun or contemptuous imitating or making mockery of persons with disability whether in writing, or
in words, or in action due to their impairment/s.
SEC. 40. No individual, group or community shall execute any of these acts of ridicule against persons
with disability in any time and place which could intimidate or result in loss of self-esteem of the latter.
CHAPTER 2. Deliverance from Vilification
SEC 41. Vilification. – For purposes of this Chapter, vilification shall be defined as:
(a) The utterance of slanderous and abusive statements against a person with disability; and/or
(b) An activity in public which incites hatred towards, serious contempt for, or severe ridicule of persons
with disability.”
SEC. 42. Any individual, group or community is hereby prohibited from vilifying any person with disability
which could result into loss of self-esteem of the latter.”
SEC. 3. Section 46 of Republic Act No. 7277 is hereby amended to read as follows:
SEC. 46. Penal Clause. – (a) Any person who violates any provision of this Act shall suffer the following
penalties:
(1) For the first violation, a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not exceeding One
hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than
two years, or both at the discretion of the court; and
(2) For any subsequent violation, a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but
not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) or imprisonment for not less than two years
but not more than six years, or both at the discretion of the court.
(b) Any person who abuses the privileges granted herein shall be punished with imprisonment of not less
than six months or a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00), but not more than Fifty
thousand pesos (P50,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court.
(c) If the violator is a corporation, organization or any similar entity, the officials thereof directly involved
shall be liable therefore.
(d) If the violator is an alien or a foreigner, he shall be deported immediately after service of sentence
without further deportation proceedings.
Upon filing of an appropriate complaint, and after due notice and hearing, the proper authorities may also
cause the cancellation or revocation of the business permit, permit to operate, franchise and other similar
privileges granted to any business entity that fails to abide by the provisions of this Act.”
SEC. 4. The title of Republic Act No. 7277 is hereby amended to read as the “Magna Carta for Persons
with Disability”, and all references on the said law to “Disabled persons” shall likewise be amended to
read as “persons with disability”.
SEC. 5. The Department of Social Welfare and Development, the National Council for the Welfare of
Disabled Persons, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, in consultation with the concerned Senate and
House committees and other agencies, organizations, establishments shall formulate implementing rules
and regulations pertinent to the provision of this Act within six months after the effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in any two newspapers of general
circulation.
Approved,
(Sgd.) JOSE DE VENECIA JR.
(Sgd.) MANNY VILLAR
the Senate and the House of Representatives on February 8, 2007 and February 7, 2008 respectively.
(Sgd.) ROBERTO P. NAZARENO
Approved: 30 APRIL 2007
(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
SPECIAL GUIDELINES ON THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL AMELIORATION MEASURES BY THE

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT TO THE MOST AFFECTED RESIDENTS
OF THE AREAS UNDER COMMUNITY QUARANTIVE AND CONTINUATION OF THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SOCIAL PENSION FOR INDIGENT SENIOR CITIZENS AND THE
SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING PROGRAMS
SPECIAL GUIDELINES ON THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL AMELIORATION MEASURES BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT TO THE MOST AFFECTED
RESIDENTS OF THE AREAS UNDER COMMUNITY QUARANTIVE AND CONTINUATION OF THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SOCIAL PENSION FOR INDIGENT SENIOR CITIZENS AND THE
SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING PROGRAMS
Implementation of Republic Act No. 10754 “An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons With
Disability (PWD)” and the Execution of Its Implementing Rules and Regulations
Department of Health
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
26 January 2017
MEMORANDUM
TO: DRUGSTORE ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (DSAP)
DRUGSTORE CHAINS
HOSPITAL PHARMACIES
NON-DSAP MEMBERS DRUG OUTLETS
SUBJECT: Implementation of Republic Act No. 10754 “An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of
Persons With Disability (PWD)” and the Execution of Its Implementing Rules and Regulations
Please be informed that the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 10754, which took effect on 23
December 2016, specifically stipulates in Section 4. Policies and Objectives the declared policy of the
state “… to provide persons with disability the opportunity to participate fully into the mainstream of
society by granting them at least twenty percent (20%) discount and exemption from the value added tax
on the sale of certain goods and services identified under Republic Act 9442 for the exclusive use,
enjoyment or availment of persons with disability.”
Section 6.4 (Purchase of Medicines and Foods for Special Medical Purposes) likewise states that “The
Department of Health, in coordination with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Food and
Drug Administration, shall issue the corresponding guidelines, circulars or directives related to this section
and disseminate such information to all concerned.”
While the DOH is still in the process of creating its own guideline on the above IRR provision, please be
advised that SEC.3. (Implementing Rules and Regulations) of the Law itself points out that “The
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in consultation with the Department of Health
(DOH), the Department of Finance (DOF); and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the provisions of this
Act: “Provided, that the failure of the concerned agencies to promulgate the said rules and regulations
shall not prevent the implementation of this Act upon its effectivity.” Hence, all drug retail outlets are
mandated by Law to give the necessary discount and exemption to any PWD on the purchase of
prescribed medicines as well as food for special medical purposes at any given time, regardless if this
Agency has not yet finalized the guidelines on granting discounts for PWDs.
In the meantime, we recommend drugstores and hospitals pharmacies to apply the burden sharing
mechanisms currently implemented for senior citizens in the granting of discounts for PWDs.
For strict compliance.
(Original Signed)
PAULYN JEAN B. ROSELL-UBIAL, MD, MPH, CESO II
Secretary of Health
Executive Order No. 232 – Providing For The Structural And Functional Reorganization Of The National
Council For The Welfare Of Disabled Persons And For Other Purposes
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
Malacanang Palace, Manila
EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 232
PROVIDING FOR THE STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL REORGANIZATION OF THE NATIONAL
COUNCIL FOR THE WELFARE OF DISABLED PERSONS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
WHEREAS, the national government recognizes its responsibility to provide disabled persons with the
fullest measure of protection and assistance to help develop their abilities in all fields of endeavor and to
promote their integration into the mainstream of society, as well as its primary duty for the prevention of
disabilities;
WHEREAS, the national government is also cognizant to the limitations of the existing system for delivery
of services to persons with disabilities and the need to extend the ranges of disability prevention and
rehabilitation services;
WHEREAS, there is an increasing awareness in the government and private sector on the problems of
disability and of their joint responsibility to be involved in the national effort to seek solutions to the
problems;
WHEREAS, the, national leadership notes, with great concern that in the pursuit of this responsibility,
there has been proliferation of activities and programs for the welfare of persons with disabilities by
government agencies and private organizations, and that for lack of central direction and coordination,
there is widespread overlapping and duplication of efforts thereby resulting in the wastage of scarce
resources and professional services and impairing the achievement of definite goals;
WHEREAS, the National Commission Concerning Disabled Persons was created on 11 June 1978 by
virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1509 as amended;
WHEREAS, the National Commission Concerning Disabled Persons was replaced by the National
Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons by virtue of Executive Order No. 123 dated 30 January 1987;
WHEREAS, the structure and functional reorganization of the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled
Persons is deemed necessary for effective and efficient delivery of services to persons with disabilities;
WHEREAS, the structure and functional reorganization of the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled
Persons is deemed necessary for effective and efficient delivery of services to persons with disabilities;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of
the power vested in me by the sovereign will of the Filipino people and the Constitution, do hereby order:
SECTION 1. Title. This Executive Order shall otherwise be known as the Reorganization Act of the former
National Commission Concerning Disabled Persons (NCCDP) now known as the National Council for the
Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP) as provided for under Executive Order No. 123 and attached to
the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. The State’s paramount concern for the welfare of the disabled persons
as embodied in several provisions of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines is hereby affirmed.
SECTION 3. Objectives of the Council. The National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons
hereinafter referred to as the “Council” shall have the following objectives:
1. To develop an integrated and comprehensive long-term National Plan for the prevention of disabilities,
rehabilitation, full participation and equalization of opportunities of disabled persons.
2. To provide and maintain necessary steps to ensure the rights and benefits of disabled persons at all
levels to
achieve fuller participation and equalization of opportunities.
3. To advocate new policies and legislations or amendments relating to disability prevention,
rehabilitation, full
participation and equalization of opportunities.
4. To act as a consultative forum, advisory and coordinating body to rationalize the functions and activities
of
agencies involved in disability prevention, rehabilitation, full participation and equalization of opportunities
of
disabled persons.
5. To establish, maintain and expand contact with national and international organizations concerned with
persons with
disabilities, and to keep abreast with international standards and the latest developments in disability
prevention,
rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities.
6. To raise the level of public awareness on disability prevention, rehabilitation, full participation and
equalization
of opportunities of disabled persons through systematic information program.
7. To develop and maintain a data banking and referral system on disability prevention, rehabilitation, full
SECTION 4. Powers and Functions of the Council. The Council shall have the following powers and
functions:
1. Formulate policies on disability prevention and rehabilitation for the welfare of disabled persons.
2. Formulate research and development policies on health, education, labor and social welfare of disabled
persons.
3. Undertake continuing researches 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
disabled persons.
5. Establish and maintain linkages and networking with local and international organizations, including
organizations
of and for disabled persons.
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 disabled persons.
8. Develop a broad public information and dissemination program on disability prevention, rehabilitation,
full
9. Submit periodic reports to the DSWD Secretary on the 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 5. Composition of the Council. The NCWDP is headed by a governing Board, the members of
which are heads, or representatives of governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and of
disabled persons as well as civic and cause oriented organizations. The Board shall be composed of the
following members or their duly designated representatives:
Government Offices
Department of Social Welfare and Development – Chairman
Department of Health – Member
Department of Labor and Employment – Member
Department of Education, Culture and Sports – Member
Department of National Defense – Member
Department of Agriculture – Member
National Economic and Development Authority – Member
Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Member
Department of Interior and Local Government – Member
Department of Trade and Industry – Member
Department of Public Works and Highways – Member
Department of Transportation and Communications – Member
Department of Justice – Member
Non-Government Offices Veterans Federation of the Philippines – Member
Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of Disabled, Inc. – Member
Private Representatives
Two (2) disabled persons and one (1) each from the civic group and a cause oriented organization, all of
whom shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Chairman for a three (3) year
term.
SECTION 6. The Chairman. The Chairman of the Board shall have the following duties:
To call and preside over the meeting of the Board.
To manage and administer the affairs of the Council.
To insure that the decisions and policies of the Board are implemented.
To sign and represent the Council.
To accept on behalf of the Council, gifts, grants or donations and to administer and disburse the same
with the
approval of the Board in accordance with government rules, regulations and policies.
To enter into and execute such contracts as may be deemed necessary in the pursuit of the Council’s
objectives, subject
to the approval of the Board and in accordance with government rules, regulations and policies.
To organize, permanent or ad-hoc committees, consisting of members of the Board or such other experts
as are deemed
necessary for the discharge of the Council.
SECTION 7. Meetings. The Board shall meet every month or often at the call of the Chairman.
Eleven (11) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. However, when a decision is made by such
quorum, it must carry the unanimous vote of all eleven members to be valid.
Members of the Board shall receive no compensation, but shall be entitled to honorarium and other
allowances as resolved by the Board and authorized by the Department of Budget and Management.
SECTION 8. The Secretariat. The Council shall have a Secretariat which will provide the machinery to
coordinate functions, organize services and evaluate programs as may be required by the Board in the
exercise of its functions. It shall be headed by an Executive Director to be assisted by a Deputy Executive
Director, both of whom shall be appointed by the President.
The main divisions of the Secretariat shall be as follows:
Office of the Executive Director
Administrative Division
Programs Management Division
Information, Education and Communication Division
Technical Cooperation Center
SECTION 9. The Executive Committee. There shall be created an Executive Committee to assist the
Board. The Executive Committee shall be chaired by the Undersecretary of DSWD for attached agencies
and shall be composed of nine (9) members to be chosen by the Chairman.
SECTION 10. Other Committees. The Board shall create committees as may be deemed necessary to
carry out the functions of the Council.
SECTION 11. Appropriations. Funds needed to carry out the provisions of this Executive Order shall be
taken from the funds available to the NCCDP. Thereafter, budget as shall be needed for the continued
operation of the Council shall be regularly included in subsequent annual general appropriations act.
SECTION 12. Donations. The Council -shall be authorized to receive grants, donations, contributions or
gifts which will be administered or disbursed for the purpose of which they were given or in the absence of
such, as the Board may determine. In both cases, government rules and regulations shall apply.
SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, other issuances or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 14. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
APPROVED in the City of Manila, Philippines, this 22nd day of July, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen
Hundred and Eighty Seven.
(SGD.) CORAZON C. AQUINO
By the President:
(SGD.)JOKER R. ARROYO
Executive Secretary
Memorandum Circular No. 2017-119 – GUIDELINES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES AFFAIRS OFFICE (PDAO) AND THE CONDUCT OF THE PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES GENERAL ASSEMBLY
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
DILG-NAPOLCOM Center, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City
http://www.dilg.gov.ph
GUIDELINES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES AFFAIRS OFFICE (PDAO) AND THE CONDUCT OF THE
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Memorandum Circular No. 2017-119
September 13, 2017
1. Background
It is a declared policy of Republic Act No. 7277 that persons with disabilities (PWDs) are part of the
Philippine society, and thus the State shall give full support to the improvement of their total well-being
and their integration into the mainstream of society. They have the same rights as other people to take
their proper place in society. Further, Republic Act No. 10070 was approved on April 6, 2010 to ensure
that policies, programs and services for persons with disabilities are implemented at the local level for
them to fully participate in building an inclusive society for all through the establishment of Persons with
Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) or the appointment of focal person/s in case of the fourth (4th), fifth (5th)
and sixth (6th) class municipalities, in lieu of the creation of PDAO.
2. Purpose
This Memorandum Circular is issued to provide guidance on the conduct of PWD general assembly at the
local government units concerned to ensure maximum participation of PWDs in the filling up of vacant
PDAO positions.
3. Legal Compliance
3.1. Article 4.3 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
mandates the Philippine Government to closely consult with and actively involve persons with
disabilities through their respective organizations in the development and implementation of
legislation and policies to implement this international commitment;
3.2. Section 1 of RA No. 10070 mandates the creation of a Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office in
every province, city and municipality or the designation of Focal Person in the fourth (4th), fifth (5th)
and sixth (6th) class municipalities, in lieu of the creation of PDAO.
4. Scope/Coverage
This policy covers all Provincial Governors, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Sangguniang Panlungsod,
City/Municipal Mayors, Punong Barangays, DILG Regional Directors, ARMM Regional Secretary, DILG
Field Officers and all others concerned.
5. Policy Content and Guidelines
5.1. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan/Panlungsod shall pass an ordinance creating the PDAO
organization structure, staffing pattern and its annual appropriations to carry out the functions.
5.2. The PDAO positions shall be subject to the publication and posting requirements under Republic
Act No. 7041.
5.3. Qualified women with disabilities shall be encouraged to apply.
5.4. Upon publication of the position, the concerned governor or city/municipal mayor, shall instruct the
Convenors namely, the Local City/Municipal Local Government Operations Officer, the Local Social
Welfare and Development Officer and the President of the local federation/association of persons
with disabilities to prepare for a general assembly for persons with disabilities, which shall be
conducted on the last day of the posting period. They shall also be responsible in inviting the
participants.
5.5. The general assembly shall nominate at least three (3) qualified applicants for consideration of the
Local Selection Board and the Local Chief Executive.
5.6. The Human Resource Management Officer shall document the proceedings of the general
assembly.
5.7 The general assembly shall be open to all persons with disabilities, with or without organizational
membership, representatives of civil society organizations working on disability within the LGU, and
parents or representative of children with disabilities.
5.8. The General Assembly shall be guided by pro-forma program as follows:
5.8.1.1. Registration and Final Acceptance of Applications – HRMO
5.8.1.2. Invocation/National Anthem
5.8.1.3. Roll Call
5.8.1.4. Opening the Assembly
5.8.1.5. Orientation about RA 10070 and the Appointment of the Head of Office/Focal Person
5.8.1.6. Presentation of Qualified Applicants
5.8.1.7. Open Forum
5.8.1.8. Nomination Process-thru secret ballots
5.8.1.9. Announcement of Nominees
5.8.1.10. Closing of the Assembly
5.9. The Convenors shall submit the names of the nominees to the Local Personnel Selection Board
(PSB) to comply with the usual hiring and recruitment process such as submission of requirements,
interview and shortlisting of the nominees.
5.10. Persons with Disabilities shall be represented within the PSB by an employee with disability to be
part of deliberation. In case there is no employee with disability, the assembly may include
nominating a member of the PWD organization as an observer to the deliberations. In shortlisting
or ranking of nominees for appointment, gender balance must be observed.
5.11. Upon completion of the requirements and processes set by the PSB, the names of shortlisted
nominee with ranking shall be submitted to the concerned governor/city or municipal mayor for
consideration.
5.12. The responsible governor / city or municipal mayor shall appoint the head of PDAO/Focal Person
within 30 days upon submission of the recommended nominees of the Local Personnel Selection
Board.
5.13. A temporary appointment may be issued by the governor/city/municipal mayor, in case the
nominees do not possess the appropriate career service eligibility, subject to Civil Service Law and
Rules.
5.14. The Human Resource Management Officer shall post a notice announcing the appointment issued
by the governor or city/municipal mayor in three (3) conspicuous places in the agency within
fifteen (15) days from signing.
6. Effectivity
This Memorandum Circular shall take effect immediately.
7. Approving Authority
(Original Signed)
CATALINO S. CUY
Officer-in-Charge
8. Monitoring and Submission of Reports
All DILG regional Directors are hereby directed to cause the immediate and widest dissemination of this
Circular to all local government units and submit annual report on the status of the establishment of
PDAO to the Office of Undersecretary for Local Government.
9. Feedback
For related queries, kindly contact the Bureau of Local Government Development at Tel nos. (02) 927-
7852 or (02) 925-0356 or at email address at blgd_ladd@yahoo.com.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
DILG-NAPOLCOM Center, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City
Telephone nos. 925.03.54 • Telefax 927.78.52 • O.D 929.92.35
WWW.DILG.GOV.PH
NCDA Administrative Order No. 001 series of 2021, ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER ON THE ISSUANCE OF
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IDENTIFICATION CARD RELATIVE TO REPUBLIC ACTS 9442, 10754,
11215, 10747
NCDA Administrative Order No. 001 Series of 2021
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER ON THE ISSUANCE OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IDENTIFICATION
CARD RELATIVE TO REPUBLIC ACTS 9442, 10754, 11215, 10747
I. RATIONALE
Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9442 as amendment to Republic Act 7277, otherwise known as the
Magna Carta for Disabled Persons and For Other Purposes, these foregoing guidelines shall serve as a
mechanism for the issuance of a Person With Disability Identification Card.
These guidelines have been formulated by the National Council on Disability Affairs in coordination with
the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Department of Interior
and Local Government as provided for in Rule IV, Section 6.11 of the IRR.
Persons with Disabilities Identification Cards shall be issued to any bonafide Filipino with permanent
disabilities due to any one or more of the following types of disabilities: deaf/hard of hearing, Intellectual,
learning, mental, orthopedic, physical, psychosocial, speech and language impairment, visual, people
with cancer, and people with rare disease.
The Identification Card shall be the basis for the provision of certain special privileges and discounts to
bonafide PWDs in the Philippines in accordance with RA 9442, RA10754, RA 11215 and RA 10747.
PWD-IDCs shall serve as proof of disability to fully enjoy the benefits and privileges as provided for in RA
9442, RA10754, RA 11215 and RA 10747.
II. ACRONYMS
A/G/R – Applicant/Guardian/Authorized Representative
COD – Certificate of Disability
DILG – Department of the Interior and Local Government
DOH – Department of Health
DSWD – Department of Social Welfare Development
LGU – Local Government Unit
MC – Medical Certificate
NCDA – National Council on Disability Affairs
PDAO – Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office
PRPWD – Philippine Registry for Persons with Disabilities
PWD-IDC – Person with Disability Identification Card
PWDID-AF – PWD ID Application Form
PWD –Persons with Disabilities
SWDO – Social Welfare and Development Office
III. OBJECTIVES
This order on the issuance of PWD-IDC aim to:
Provide guidance to all local government officials, licensed physicians, local health officers, PDAO
HEADS AND FOCAL PERSONS ON DISABILITY and government agencies in the issuance of PWD-
IDC for the privileges and incentives provided for by R.A. 9442, RA10754, RA 11215 and RA 10747 to
PWDs.
Facilitate monitoring by appropriate government agencies on the use of the PWD-IDC.
Protect the establishments from illegitimate claims or fraudulent practices on the use of the PWD-IDC.
Establish mechanisms to protect personal data of the beneficiaries in accordance with Republic Act
10173 or Data Privacy Act of 2012.
IV. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
The Local Government Unit through the City or Municipal Office or PDAO shall implement these
guidelines in the issuance of the PWD-IDC.
The City or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office or PDAO shall:
Reproduce/Print the PWDID-AFs to be filled out by the PWDs in accordance with the DOH Philippine
Registry Form for Persons with Disability.
Reproduce/Print the PWD-IDCs.
Enter or encode the data from the approved PWDID-AF to the PRPWD system.
Ensure safety and security of data in accordance with Republic Act 10173 or the Data Privacy Act.
PWDID-AFs or application forms can be obtained from any of the following or means:
Municipal and City Social Welfare Offices / Persons with Disability Affairs Offices
Department of Health
National Council on Disability Affairs
Submission of appropriate documents to confirm the eligibility of the new applicant is as follows:
Apparent Disability
Applicants with apparent disability, that is, manifested by presence of physical Impairment and impaired
mobility or function such as totally blind, missing limbs, limping and the likes will not be required to submit
a Certificate of Disability from a physician or doctor to confirm the disability. Instead, the issuing officer
may assess the applicant to determine the cause of disability and issue a Certificate of Disability however,
in case of doubt the issuing officer may refer to the city and municipal health office for the final
confirmation.
Certificate of Disability issued by city/municipality health office
Certificate of Disability from Issuing Office of PWD-IDC who assessed the applicant
Non apparent Disability
Applicant with non-apparent disability, that is disability not manifested physically is required to submit a
certificate of disability issued by SPECIALISTS or by appropriate physicians from the City,
Municipal/Regional Health Offices or any recognized private medical institutions who has competencies to
assess for the following non-apparent type of disabilities:
Deaf/Hard of Hearing Disability
Intellectual Disability
Learning Disability
Mental Disability
Psychosocial Disability
Non-apparent Visual Disability
Non-apparent Speech and Language Impairment
Non-apparent cancer
Non-apparent rare disease
Note:
For cancer and rare diseases applicants, a Medical Certificate/Certificate of Disability issued by an
Oncologist, Surgeon or appropriate Physician that has the expertise to determine the ailment or disease
is required.
Submission of the appropriate document to confirm the identity of the new applicant is as follows:
Two “1×1” recent ID pictures with the names, and signatures or thumb marks at the back of the picture.
One valid government ID
For children, school ID will be accepted, in the absence of school ID, a photocopy of the Birth Certificate
will be required.
For applicant of legal age, one valid government ID is required. In the absence of a valid ID, a Barangay
Certificate will be required. This may also be used as his proof of residence if the ID has no address
indicated or if the ID indicates a different or old address.
For guardian/representative:
a. Guardian, proof of guardianship
b. Authorized Representative, notarized authorization letter
Proof of residence
Voters ID or
Barangay certificate or
Utility bills with exact name and address
For renewal or revalidation transactions, submission of documents below are required:
Accomplished PWDID-AF (Renewal box checked)
Expired PWD-IDC
Affidavit of Loss if PWD-IDC is declared lost.
In the absence of expired PWD-IDC, two “1×1” recent ID pictures with the names, and signatures or
thumb marks at the back of the picture are required.
The issuing offices, the PDAO or the City or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices as the
case maybe shall:
Use the NSCB Philippine Standard Geographic Code and sequential numbering system in the
issuance of the PWD ID Number. Format is <RR-PPMM-BBB-NNNNNNN> where:
RR = 2-digits Region Code
PP = 2-digits Province Code
MM = 2-digits Municipality Code
BBB = 3-digits Barangay Code (the default # is 000 unless specific barangays are issuing
PWD ID)
NNNNNNN = 7-digits Sequential No.
Examples:
Issuing Facility NSCB Philippine Standard Geographic Code PWD ID No.
City of San Fernando, Pampanga 13-5416-000; 13-5416-000-0000001
Municipality of Apalit, Pampanga 03-5402-000; 03-5402-000-0000001
Sucad Barangay, Apalit, Pampanga 03-5402-013; 03-5402-013-0000001
Ensure that the PWD ID No. is sequentially assigned with no missed numbers to ensure database
integrity.
Keep a record of all PWDs with ID Numbers issued and with the following data sets:
ID Number
Name of the PWD (Last Name, First Name, Middle Name)
Complete Address
Date of Birth
PWD Application Forms and ID Cards shall be issued and signed by the City or Municipal Mayor.
The DOH shall maintain the system and database of the DOH-PPWDRS in coordination with
the NCDA, DSWD, DILG and LGUs. The official website is www.pwd.doh.gov.ph.
The NCDA shall maintain a mirror of the database to ensure the reliability, availability and integrity of the
database. This shall form part of the Executive Information System of Persons with Disabilities sector.
NCDA shall likewise promote the proper migration of the LGU disability data to the PRPWD system and
the provision of a reliable and secure back-up database.
V. IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
Any bonafide person with permanent disability can apply for the issuance of the PWD-IDC.
His/her caregiver can assist in the application process. Procedures for the issuance of the ID
Cards are as follows:
Applicant/Guardian/Authorized Representative.
Secure and accomplish all the necessary required details in the application form (See Section IV, C).
Attached the requirements to PWDID-AF (See Section IV, D and E).
Submit the complete documents/requirements to City or Municipality Mayor or PDAO.
Receive the PWD-IDC.
Document Evaluator/Processor.
Receive the PWD ID application form (PWDID-AF) with attached requirements from
applicant/guardian/representative.
Assess new applicant with apparent disability and prepare Certificate of Disability. In case the person
with disability submits a medical certificate, it may be accepted accordingly.
Evaluate the documents submitted by the applicant/guardian/representative, advise them to correct
discrepancy if there is or complete the requirements if incomplete (See Section IV, D, E , F and G for
documentary requirements)
For renewal transaction, Expired PWD-IDC and accomplished PWDID-AF (See Section IV, G
requirements for renewal) are the only documentary requirements provided that the applicant is already
registered in the PRPWD otherwise the transaction will be treated as NEW APPLICANT (See Section IV,
D, E and F for requirements)
Submit documents to approving officer for approval.
Approving officer.
Approving officer will return the documents to Documents Evaluator/Processor if Discrepancy/issue is
found.
Approving officer forward the documents to Encoder if no discrepancy/issue.
Maintain the veracity and authenticity of submitted documents
Encoder.
Assign PWD-ID number for new applicant and affix it to the PWD-AF.
Encode/upload or update/verify (RENEWAL) details in the PRPWD (See PRPWD User’s Manual:
https://pwd.doh.gov.ph/downloads/PRPWD_User_Manual.pdf).
Print PWD-IDC
Forward PWD-IDC to Releasing.
Releasing Officer.
Check for the accuracy of PWD IDC before releasing.
Release the PWD-IDC to the applicant/guardian/authorized representative.
Note:
Issuing facilities are reminded to ensure that employment status and PhilHealth membership are filled-
up. Certifying physicians should be accomplished accurately including the processing, encoder,
approving and releasing officers for proper identification and accountability.
The provision of control number is dependent to the internal control mechanism of the issuing facility, it
can also be used for ISO purposes.
VI. VALIDITY AND RENEWAL/REVALIDATION OF THE PWD-IDC
The PWD-IDC issued to the PWD shall be valid for five (5) years.
The initial PWD-IDC is free of charge.
Loss or damage may be charged a minimal fee for the replacement of PWD-IDC.
Renewal/revalidation may be processed a month prior to expiration or when the PWD-IDC is already
expired.
VII. USE OF THE PWD-IDC
The PWD-IDC shall serve as the Standard National Identification Card for PWDs, and shall
be prescribed as proof of availment of the 20% discount and other benefits to persons with
disabilities as provided in RA 9442, RA10754, RA 11215, RA 10747 and other laws that may be enacted
by Congress. (See Annex 5 for the facsimile of the PWD-IDC).
VIII. REPEALING CLAUSE
NCDA Administrative Order 001 Series 2008 is hereby repealed by this order. All other policies or
issuances inconsistent or contrary to the provisions of this AO is hereby revised or modified accordingly.
IX. PENALTY CLAUSE
Abuse of any person, corporation, institution and/or entity on the use of PWD ID Card is punishable by
law or can be penalized subject to the discretion of the ruling court.
X. ANNEX 1 – PROCESS FLOW
X. ANNEX 2 – PWD Application Form Version 4.0
XI. ANNEX 3 – Certificate of Apparent Disability Template
XII. ANNEX 4 – Certificate of Non-apparent Disability Template
XIII.ANNEX 5 – Template of PWD-IDC
Effectivity:
This Order shall take effect immediately after its publication in two (2) newspaper of general
circulation.
Approved by:
ROLANDO JOSELITO D. BAUTISTA
Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development
Chairperson, National Council on Disability Affairs

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