The Philippine Embassy in Warsaw held a Pulong Bayan on the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week last 23 July at the Philippine Embassy Consular Hall. The theme of this year’s celebration, “Health and Wellness Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Toward Inclusive Development for All.”
Cultural Officer and Attaché Catherine B. Ramintas gave a Powerpoint presentation wherein she said that based on the 2010 census of the National Statistics Office, there are about 1.44 million persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the Philippines.
Ms. Ramintas also discussed the various privileges PWDs enjoy including 20 percent discounts on medicines, medical and dental services, 20 percent discounts on admission fees in theaters, cinema houses, etc. and 5 percent discount on basic necessities and prime commodities.
She also provided information on the basic laws governing PWDs in the Philippines such as the Republic Act 7277 known as the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities; Batas Pambansa 344 also known as the Accessibility Law and Republic Act 10366 which authorizes the Commission on Elections to Establish Accessible Polling Places exclusive for PWDs and Senior Citizens.
Ms. Ramintas also expounded on the government’s initiatives regarding PWDs such as 1) non-handicapping environment; 2) training of teachers for PWDs students; 3) awareness programs such as fora on PWDs, Freedom Walk, etc; and 4) livelihood programs for PWDs.
The presentation also mentioned successful PWDs such as Apolinario Mabini, who was known as the Brains of the Revolution and Sublime paralytic who was first prime minister and foreign minister of the Aguinaldo government in 1899. Arturo Borja, who was a journalist known for his column “Jaywalker”. Mr. Borjal was a lawyer and a sectoral representative for PWDs during the 8th congress. He co-authored the Magna Carta for Persons with disabilities. Estelita Juco was a faculty member of St. Paul’s college. She later became a sectoral representative of the PWDs during the Cory Aquino presidency.
