THE LOCAL government’s Persons with Disabilities Affairs Unit (PDAU) received high ratings from the Department of the Interior and Local Government during a recent assessment on the programs and services the Climaco administration provides to the PWD sector.
According to the PDAU, it membership now has in increased to 6,000 due to the strong advocacy of Mayor Beng Climaco who prioritizes the vulnerable sectors of the community, especially the PWDs and the elderly, among others.
The establishment of the PDAU, which was initiated by Climaco, takes charge of the issuance of PWD ID cards to legitimate members and providing immediate assistance in crisis situations, including the provision of assistive devices and assisting and monitoring complaints.
It also organizes federation and community and barangay association for PWDs and regularly conducts advocacy training and seminars and assists in the grant of financial incentives, PhilHealth membership, among others.
Under Republic Act No. 10754 or the Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability, PWDs are given 20% discounts; exemption to value-added tax; 5% discount on basic necessities and prime commodities; and free use of express lanes in commercial and government transactions.
PWD refers to persons with the following types of disabilities: Psychosocial disability, including bipolar disorder, depression, ADHD or Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and other long-term and recurring mental or behavioral issues; disability resulting from a chronic illness and this includes orthopedic disability due to cancer, blindness due to diabetes, and other disabilities due to chronic disease; and learning disability such as processing problems that hinder learning math, reading, writing, and other basic skills.
Other kinds of disabilities covered by the law are visual disability, but simple poor eyesight does not automatically qualify a person as a PWD unless the visual impairment cannot be corrected; orthopaedic (Musculoskeletal) disability or people with dwarfism and amputated hands or feet; individuals with scoliosis, mental/intellectual disability; hearing disability; speech impairment; and multiple disabilities. (Zamboanga Post)
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