PWDs push House Bill 1214 giving more benefits to disabled
by Aida C. Agad
Koronadal City (26 October) -- More persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Koronadal City and South Cotabato look forward to the passage of House Bill 1214, an amendment to Republic Act 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.
Congress has amended the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons to give additional benefits and privileges to the disabled. The bill authored by Las Piņas representative Cynthia Villar provides for the exemption of the disabled from the payment of individual income tax.
"Persons with disabilities comprise one of the neglected sectors of our community," Villar stressed while taking note that the government has also to establish an agency whose responsibility would be to formulate programs designed to integrate the disabled into the mainstream of society.
If passed by the Senate and signed into law, the measure will grant PWDs the same privileges being enjoyed by senior citizens, among others the 20% discount in restaurants, medicines, medical and hospital services and transportation and travel.
In Koronadal City, the Kapisanan ng mga May-Kapansanan chaired by Noel Manabe said that they have been hoping that HB 1214 will be enacted in the Senate as they have been advocating for the passage of the bill so that privileges attached to it will be enjoyed by more PWDs from poor families needing assistance in their daily activities.
Manabe also said he is grateful that the Arroyo government looks after their welfare by enacting laws that would legalize their benefits and privileges and would integrate them into the mainstream of society. (PIA 12) [top]
