2015-03042 Writing as an Inquiry(First Draft)/26 March 2019

ENG 10 – THV6 Deocampo, Irish Joy G.

Disabled: The Implementation of the Rights and Privileges of PWDs

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) are people whose physical, mental, or social abilities are
lacking compared to the average person. They do not have the same endurance, strength, and
mental capacity as everyone. They have faced everyday problems, struggling with their attributes
in order to blend in and function as a ‘normal’ human being in public. PWDs live a life of
disadvantages in our society. But what has our government and society done in order to get rid of
these advantages? This paper deals with the different programs from our government, aiming to
improve the lives of PWDs, and their level of implementation in the Philippines.

On July 22, 1991, the Republic Act 7277, an act providing for the rehabilitation, self-
development and self-reliance of disabled person and their integration, also known as the “Magna
Carta for Disabled Persons”. This Act contains the definition of a ‘Disabled Person’ and how a
PWD is a part of society, even though they are disabled, and shall have equal or more rights than
the average citizen. It also contains different perks of a disabled person, in order to make up for
the fact that they have disadvantages, when it comes to seeking work, medication, education, and
access to public transport. Stated here also, is the different types of abuse that a disabled person
may experience and/or do, and the penalties for such abuse.

I, myself, am a PWD, whom experiences these inconveniences and as a student, I can say
that facilities are not readily available in different schools. It is so, that medicines and maintenance
costs greatly, and I enjoy having discounts when buying them, thanks to the implementation of
these laws.

Later on, this act is amended and expanded by RA 9442, the “Magna Carta for Disabled
Persons, and for other purposes”, and RA 10700, an act which deals with the effective and rightful
implementation of the previous republic acts. They are begun and held in Metro Manila on July
24, 2006, and July 27, 2009, respectively. These are then updated in RA 10754, on July 27, 2015,
an act expanding the benefits and privileges of PWDs.

Notice how in RA 9442 and 10700 transitioned from using “disabled persons’ to ‘persons
with disabilities’. This is a representation of how the society, or at least the government, sees a
PWD. In the past, the disability is more likely to define the person, but now, it is known and
recognized that the person is first defined as a human, than it is being defined by its disability.
Different euphemistic terms are used such as ‘differently-abled’, ‘with special needs’, or
‘unfortunate’, but these are not the right ways to address PWDs, since they, most of all, do not
want pity, and do not want to be classified as such. They prefer to be called as what they are, rather
than relying on euphemistic terms, because there is no shame in being a PWD.

Even though with the RA 10700, it is supposed to be ensured that PWDs have extended
rights, especially with finding employment, but this is not true. As Adela Kono mentioned in her
paper, “A Glimpse of the Employment Status of Persons with Disabilities in the Philippines from
a Cebuano Perspective”, PWDs have limited number of jobs, due to their different disabilities. For
example, a person with visual impairment has great odds of becoming a massage therapist, or a
musician, wherein it requires less need for vision. However, there is very little chance, or maybe
no chance at all, that they get a job that they personally prefer, which has a more stable income,
and actually within their expertise, or branch of education. Even though the government provides
incentives to employment agencies that hire PWDs, by lowering their required taxes, these
agencies see PWDs more as an inefficiency, or not worth the lesser taxes, because they can hire a
much more efficient person, and not giving PWDs any chance. The stereotype of a PWD not being
able to match the average person in terms of working efficiency has not only affected the self-
esteems of PWDs, but also their chances of finding good jobs.

Even if they do manage to get a job, their daily struggles to go to work is greatly affected
by society. From a personal standpoint, in public mass transport, PWDs have been long ignored,
especially in trains and, utility vehicles (UV express), and jeepneys. In UV Express, it is supposed
that the front seats are reserved for PWDs, senior citizens, or pregnant women, but what happens
is that if I see that someone is already seating at the front, I would go around and sit at the back.
And as I have observed, this is the same case for other PWDs and Senior Citizens. It is the same
for the jeepneys, having seats at the farthest back in order for PWDs to have easy access, but people
won’t budge from their seat, even if they see a PWD. In Rail Transits, there is a cart reserved solely
for Senior Citizens, PWDs, and pregnant women, but it is unsure that everyone who goes there
passes the following qualifications to be there. There is low security, which makes the cart full and
more uncomfortable, even though most of the people in this cart have disabilities. Imagine
someone with pulmonary disability in a crowded, heated room. These are the things that is ignored
by the government and the masses.
 I came from the province of Laguna, where being a Senior Citizen is actually a big deal,
while they have organizations and groups for and by senior citizens. But there is none for PWDs.
In provinces, the state of PWDs are ignored because it would seem that everybody is treated as an
equal. So, if you have a disability, it should not hinder you from getting work and making your
own money. Although, this is not necessarily a good thing, since the people have average
expectations from PWDs, who have lesser abilities. Their extended rights are not implemented, or
even recognized.

In the article, “The disabled – ignored and discriminated”, written by Sara Deguzman, she
pointed out that “The Filipinos are good people. We care for one another but we need to be
educated and informed. This is where the DSWD has failed.” I completely agree with here on this,
since even myself, a PWD, didn’t have enough knowledge about PWDs and their rights. I didn’t
even know that I qualify as a PWD, if my doctor hadn’t told me. But as I research and understand
about these laws, I am able to see things in a different perspective.

I was able to understand how PWDs think, and how a minor inconvenience to some, can
be a very big inconvenience for them. The stairs that people would complain about, there will be
a PWD whom doesn’t complain, because other people can do it. Afraid of being called “weak”, or
“lampa”, PWDs are more humble and more understanding than most people. Having these rights
are a great privilege for them to keep up with society, but their lack of implementation gives even
more disadvantages.

In Japan, there are over 30 laws concerning PWDs. These laws deal with education,
employment, housing, and overall welfare of PWDs. Although our own laws also deal with these,
the difference in depth is obvious, and the concern that PWDs get is definitely different. They even
get exemptions on different taxes, such as inheritance taxes and income taxes. While in the
Philippines, they are only exempted from the value-added tax. The difference in treatment is
obviously different from these two countries. Mainly, because of the recognition of such topics
and groups.

But how do we even improve and get close to the level of implementation of other countries
with respect to PWDs? There are many possible ways for this to improve. First, is by word of
mouth. Educate others, and research for ourselves about the basic extended rights and privileges
of our PWDs. There are websites readily available in the internet, which are short and easy to
understand, be it articles or actual laws. We must understand that although many PWDs want to
be considered ‘normal’, they still need support from the society due to their own inabilities.
Because it is not their fault that they have disabilities. They did not choose to have it, so it is not
wrong for them to have these benefits.

We can vote for political party lists whom put emphasis on this issue, such as the Office of
High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Last 2012, OHCHR suggested three further
privileges that deals with additional income for low-income PWD families, livelihood assistance,
and educational grants. These are some of the main things that represents the biggest struggles of
PWD’s, except for their physical attributes. Since low-income PWD families already have little
money to work on, they still have to squeeze medication and maintenance into their already small
budget. These also apply to students, since they have other expenses for academics, despite having
the burden from their disabilities.

With that said, I can say that the implementation of different programs and laws are
insufficient in order for PWDs to carry out a comfortable life. There is very little data and statistics,
about their employment, education, and livelihood, showing how the government ignores the
PWDs and their struggles. It is unfortunate, but it is true. However, this shall not remain the case
forever. Let’s all do our part in the further recognition of the rights and privileges of PWDs by
educating ourselves and other people, and hope for a future where society is PWD-friendly.
References:

Abundabar, Froilan. “Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Program.” DTIWEB3,

www.dti.gov.ph/programs-projects/pwd-program.

A Glimpse of the Employment Status of Persons with Dsabilities in the Philippines from a
Cebuano Perspective,
www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/asia/resource/z00ap/vol5no1/glimpse.html.

“Guide on Talking About Disability.” People with Disability Australia,

pwd.org.au/resources/language-guide/how-to-talk-about-disability/.

Guzman, Sara Soliven De. “The Disabled - Ignored and Discriminated.” Philstar.com,
www.philstar.com/opinion/2011/06/06/693179/disabled-ignored-and-discriminated.

Jr., Ed Geronia. “Life as a PWD in the Philippines.” Esquiremag.ph, Esquire Philippines, 1 Jan.
1970, www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/the-life-of-a-pwd-in-the-philippines-a1760-
20170810-lfrm.

Mawis, Sara Mae D. “Addressing the Battle Cry of Disabled Persons.” Inquirer Business
Addressing the Battle Cry of Disabled Persons Comments,
business.inquirer.net/239927/addressing-battle-cry-disabled-persons.

News, ABS-CBN. “Policies for PWDs 'Not Effectively Enforced' in the Philippines: US Report.”
ABS, 14 Mar. 2019, news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/14/19/policies-for-pwds-not-effectively-
enforced-in-the-philippines-us-report.

Philippine Statistics Authority, psa.gov.ph/tags/persons-disability.

“Republic Act 7277.” National Council on Disability Affairs, www.ncda.gov.ph/disability-

laws/republic-acts/republic-act-7277/.

“Republic Act 9442.” National Council on Disability Affairs, www.ncda.gov.ph/disability-

laws/republic-acts/republic-act-9442/.

“Republic Act No. 10070”, www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2010/ra_10070_2010.html.

“Republic Act No. 10754 – AN ACT EXPANDING THE BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES OF
PERSONS WITH DISABILITY (PWD).” National Council on Disability Affairs,
 www.ncda.gov.ph/disability-laws/republic-acts/republic-act-no-10754-an-act-expanding-
the-benefits-and-privileges-of-persons-with-disability-pwd/.

Rocamora, Joyce Ann L. “UN to Review PH Implementation of PWD Rights Convention.”

Philippine News Agency RSS, Philippine News Agency, 5 Sept. 2018,
www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1047084.

The 30 Selected Japanese Laws Related to Persons with Disabilities,

www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/law/japan/30select.html.

Yang, Angelica Y. “PH Still Far from Becoming PWD-Inclusive, Says UP Study.” aRappler,
www.rappler.com/move-ph/205726-pwd-inclusive-ph-study-pdao-up-erwin-alampay.