Disabled people to enjoy more perks: Philippines
DAGUPAN CITY; July 18 – Persons with disabilities (PWDs) here and all over the country will soon enjoy the same discount benefits as senior citizens.
This is due to President Gloria Arroyo's signing into law of the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities or Republic Act (RA) 9442 on April 30, 2007.
RA 9442 amended RA 7277. It gives more incentives and privileges to PWDs.
Cynthia Bariga, program director of the National Council on Disability Affairs in the Ilocos Region, said they have written all the local government units (LGUs) in the region urging them to implement the ID system for PWDs.
Card–bearing PWDs shall enjoy 20 percent discounts in public utility vehicles (PUVs), restaurants, hotels, and other business establishments.
Bariga expressed appreciation for the quick response of the City Government to their request. In Ilocos Region, the first LGUs to act on the ID system were San Fernando City and Aringay, both in La Union.
Last Thursday morning, Social Welfare Regional Director Margarita Sampang and Dagupan Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez led the kick–off activities for the 30th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week. This year's theme is "Kapag may access, may success."
After the opening program, Sampang, Fernandez, and representatives from different government agencies proceeded to the central transport terminal at M.H. del Pilar Street.
The two led the pasting of notice stickers above the windows (first seat beside the door) of mini–buses. The stickers bear the words "please vacate this seat for disabled passengers."
"The people should be aware that the front seat near the door is for PWDs. It is a special seat and one should automatically vacate it if a PWD boards the vehicle," Sampang said.
They also visited the city's call center being manned by PWDs. The call center is located at the ground floor of the Dagupan City Hall Complex.
In the afternoon, an orientation forum was held on the amendments to RA 9442 and other related laws.
Among others, participants included operators and drivers of PUVs and representatives from government agencies who are mandated to implement the law.
According to Josie de Vera, president of the federation of associations of PWDs in Dagupan, every barangay in the city has an association of PWDs and there are around 800 registered members all over the city.
She said the IDs are ready for the signature of the mayor. She is enjoining all PWDs in the city to fill up the registration form and be counted.
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph
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