PDAO shall be created in every province, city and municipality. The local chief
executive shall appoint a PWD affairs officer who shall manage and oversee the
operations of the office, pursuant to its mandate under this Act. Priority shall be given to
qualified PWDs to head and man the said office in carrying out the following functions:
Formulate and implement policies, plans and programs for the promotion of the welfare
of PWDs in coordination with concerned national and local government agencies;
(ii) Coordinate the implementation of the provisions of this Act, Batas Pambansa Blg.
344, otherwise known as the Accessibility Law, and other relevant laws at the local
level;
(iii) Represent PWDs in meetings of local development councils and other special
bodies;
(iv) Recommend and enjoin the participation of nongovernment organizations (NGOs)
and people’S organizations (POs) in the implementation of all disability-related laws and
policies;
(v) Gather and compile relevant data on PWDs in their localities;
(vi) Disseminate information including, but not limited to, programs and activities for
PWDs, statistics on PWDs, including children with disability, and training and
employment opportunities for PWDs;
(vii) Submit reports to the office of the local chief executive on the implementation of
programs and services for the promotion of the welfare of PWDs in their respective
areas of jurisdiction;
(viii) Ensure that the policies, plans and programs for the promotion of the welfare of
PWDs are funded by both the national and local government;
(ix) Monitor fundraising activities being conducted for the benefit of PWDs;
(x) Seek donations in cash or in kind from local or foreign donors to implement an
approved work plan for PWDs, in accordance with existing laws and regulations; and
(xi) Perform such other functions as may be necessary for the promotion and protection
of the welfare of the PWDs.
(2) Focal Person
In consideration of budget restraints, local chief executives of fourth (4 th), fifth (5th) and
sixth (6th) class municipalities may, in lieu of the creation of a PDAO, designate a focal
person who shall perform the functions of the PDAO. Priority in appointment should
be given to a PWD with experience in providing services to PWDs.
The establishment of a PDAO or the appointment of a focal person, as the case may
be, should be done in consultation and coordination with the National Council on
Disability Affairs (NCDA), NGOs and POs.•
SEC. 2. References to the term “Disabled Persons” on the title and other sections of the
same Act are hereby amended to read as “Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).•
SEC. 3. Within three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act, appropriate agencies,
headed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in consultation
with the NCDA and relevant NGOs and POs, shall review its implementation and
recommend to Congress the need to mandate the establishment of a PDAO in fourth
(4th), fifth (5th) and sixth (6th) class municipalities.
SEC. 4. In order to effectively carry out the objectives of Republic Act No. 7277, the
National Government, through the DSWD, shall ensure that the annual budget includes
provisions to fund programs and provide support for PWDs.
Local government units shall likewise ensure that the necessary fund from any available
local revenues is allocated for the implementation of this Act for the benefit of PWDs in
their jurisdictions.
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, and rules
and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the
same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions hereof.
SEC. 7. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two
(2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette, whichever comes first.
Approved:
Signed
PROSPERO C. NOGRALES
JUAN PONCE ENRILE