The Sangguniang Panlungsod passed the “Comprehensive Persons with the Disability Rights, Privileges, and Protection Ordinance of Davao City,” which sets penalties for those who discriminate against, denigrate, vilify or ridicule PWDs.
The ordinance said any person who commits acts of denigration, vilification, or public ridicule against Persons with Disability shall suffer be fined Php 1,000 for the first offense, Php 3,000 for the second offense, and Php 5,000 or 1 month imprisonment or both at the discretion of the court for the third and succeeding offenses.
For violations committed by establishments, they shall be charged separately for offense made under RA 7477, otherwise known as “The Magna Carta for Disabled Persons”, RA 9442 otherwise known as “An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability (PWD),” RA 11215, otherwise known as the “The National Integrated Cancer Control Act,” RA 10747, otherwise known as the “The Rate Diseases Act of the Philippines” and BP 444, otherwise known as the “Accessibility Law” and other related laws.
A person found in possession of any falsified PWD ID shall also be penalized.
Atty. Redendo Martinez, PDAO head, told Madayaw that they will convene a technical working group composed of representatives of various types of disability for the formulation of the PWD Rights ordinance’s IRR.
“We are very happy na napasa na sa wakas, ang ato nalang ang pag draft sa Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) (We are very happy that it has finally been passed.),” he said.
Martinez said that July is being observed as the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Month and they were hopeful that by then, the ordinance would already be signed by Davao City Mayor Sebastian Baste Duterte. CIO
