Senate Offite of the Recretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 26 MAR 10 PIZ :21 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE S. No. _ 1958 Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE LIFETIME VALIDITY, UNIFIED AND STANDARDIZED FORMAT OF PERSON WITH DISABILITY (PWD) IDENTIFICATION CARDS FOR THOSE WITH PERMANENT DISABILITY OR ELDERLY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MAGNA CARTA FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY," AS AMENDED EXPLANATORY NOTE The Philippines is known as a just and compassionate country especially for the marginalized sectors of the society. Filipinos, as people, tend to always assume the sacred duty of lessening the burdens of those who are carrying more than their share in life - like our Persons with Disability (PWDs). For a PWD to enjoy privileges and incentives like discounts and VAT exemptions for transportation fare, medicines and medical services under Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, a PWD Identification Card (ID) is required. The said PWD ID is required to be renewed every three (3) years. This renewal process brings challenges to PWDs especially those with permanent disabilities or those frail and sickly elderly because of mobility and access issues coming from their homes to the renewing offices. In many parts of the country, the absence of PWD-friendly modes of transportation and access ramps in many government offices and commercial establishments adds another burden to the PWD's mobility issues. This bill seeks to provide relief to our PWDs by providing for a lifetime validity of their IDs. By doing so, the government will unburden them of the difficult process
of renewing every three (3) years while ensuring that their entitlements under our laws are given until their lifetimes. This proposed measure also promotes integrity. It calls for the institutionalization of a unified and standardized PWD ID format nationwide, with adequate and proper security features, verifiable - to give dignity to legitimate PWDs and protect the business establishments that, in good faith, extend the discounts and incentives. This is also addressing the reports on the rampant fake PWDs that are being used to take advantage of the PWD benefits. This bill is not just about PWD IDs, this is about respect for those whose bodies may be limited, but whose rights should never be. It aims at making the processes Simpler, safer and more dignified so that our brothers and sisters with disabilities and our elders, can focus more on living fully, and not lining up endlessly. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. Safar ROBINHOOD PADILLA Senator
Senate Offire of the Sarcretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) MAR 10 P12:21 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY SENATE 1958 S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE LIFETIME VALIDITY, UNIFIED AND STANDARDIZED FORMAT OF PERSON WITH DISABILITY (PWD) IDENTIFICATION CARDS FOR THOSE WITH PERMANENT DISABILITY OR ELDERLY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MAGNA CARTA FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY," AS AMENDED Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
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 the following: "xxx "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 PWD resides; (II) The passport of the person with disability concerned; or
(III) Transportation discount fare Identification Card (ID) issued by the National Council [for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP)] ON DISABILITY AFFAIRS (NCDA): PROVIDED, THAT IDENTIFICATION CARDS, AS MENTIONED IN (I) AND (III) OF THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPH, ISSUED TO A PWD WHO HAS A PERMANENT DISABILITY, AS DETERMINED BY THE NCDA, OR WHO IS AT LEAST SIXTY (60) YEARS OLD SHALL BE HAVE A UNIFIED AND STANDARDIZED FORMAT AND SHALL BE VALID DURING THE LIFETIME OF THE HOLDER: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE NCDA, IN CONSULTATION WITH RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS, SHALL ISSUE A LIST OF DISABILITIES CONSIDERED AS PERMANENT FOR THIS PURPOSE WITHIN SIXTY (60) DAYS FROM THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT: PROVIDED, FURTHERMORE, THAT IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE, THE HOLDER MAY RENEW HIS/HER IDENTIFICATION CARD: PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT THE ISSUING OFFICES SHALL ENSURE THE PROPER USE OF THE IDENTIFICATION CARD AND SHALL ADOPT APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO PREVENT MISUSE, INCLUDING THE CANCELLATION OF THE CARD UPON THE DEATH OF THE HOLDER. "X XX."
Sec. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other concerned government agencies, shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations within sixty (60) days upon the effectivity of this Act.
Sec. 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder hereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force 28 and effect.
Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, presidential decrees, executive
orders, letters of instruction, proclamations, administrative orders, rules or regulations
that are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified 2 accordingly.
Sec. 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,