IRR for PWD Law expanded bene ts signed
The law providing expanded benefits and privileges to the country’s persons with disabilities (PWDs) is now ready for implementation with the signing of the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 10754 or the Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability.
This came after the ceremonial signing of the IRR of the law by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo, and National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) executive director Carmen Zubiaga at the DSWD central offices in Batasan Hills, Quezon City earlier this week.
Taguiwalo hailed the signing of the IRR as an achievement for the PWD sector, finally making accessible to the country’s PWDs the 20 percent discount and exemption from value added taxes on purchase of certain goods and services such as in hotels and other lodging establishments; restaurants, recreation centers, purchase of medicines and foods for special medical purposes, medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory fees, professional fees of attending physicians; domestic air and sea travel; land transportation travel; and funeral and burial services for the death of a PWD.
The law also provides tax incentives for those caring for and living with PWDs up to the fourth degree of consanguinity.
“It is not a question of charity but it is a recognition of the rights and role of PWDs in development,” Taguiwalo said yesterday in her speech at the signing ceremonies.
“We have to ensure that the steps we undertake on their behalf actually respond to their needs and reflect their sentiments when it comes to policies all the time. In the process, we make them our partners in the crafting of laws that aim to serve their interest and the greater good. In the process we make them active members of society, arousing their great potential as catalyst for change,” Taguiwalo said.
“We advocated for this for the benefit of poor families with members with disabilities. The discount will be a little relief for the cost of medicine, medical services and cost of living,” Zibaga, for her part, said.
Joining the ceremonial signing of the IRR yesterday were Pasay Rep. Emi Calixto-Rubiano and former Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez who was joined by his wife incumbent Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, the main co-authors of the law in the House of Representatives; and Senator Juan Edgardo Angara who was the main author in the Senate.
Rubiano said they were delighted with the signing of the IRR since it signalled that PWDs all over the country with PWD IDs issued by their local governments can already avail of the 20 percent discount on purchases of goods and services, as well as VAT exemption.
“Taguiwalo said that available data showed that 15 percent of Filipinos (or 15 million of the 100 million citizens) are living with a disability. On a worldwide scale, 1 out of 7 persons experience disability. According to UNICEF, most persons with disability are found in the rural areas.
The IRR of the law also reiterates the rights of PWDs to educational assistance; social insurance through the Social Security System, the Government Service Insurance System, and the Home Development Mutual Fund or the PAGIBIG Fund; and special discounts in the purchase of basic necessities and prime commodities and express lanes in all commercial and government establishments.
Other unique features of the IRR are the inclusion of vitamins and minerals in the definition of drug or medicines provided that these are in accordance with the Food and Drug Administration’s prevailing cut-off. For herbs, levels and amounts as well as registration status is required when indicated for therapetic use.
The IRR also makes the benefits and privileges available to Filipinos who hold foreign passports but are registered as dual citizens and Filipinos who have re- acquired their Filipino citizenship through R.A. No. 9225 or the Citizenship Retention and Re-Acquisition Act of 2003.