character loans, collateral-free arrangements, alternative loan repayments, minimum
requirements for savings and small denominated savers’ instrument.
National Government Agencies (NGAs) and Instrumentalities – refer to government
bodies, including its affiliate institutions, identified in Title 1 Section 5 of Republic Act
8425 or the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act.
Organizations of Persons with Disabilities – refer to associations managed and
controlled by Persons with Disabilities duly recognized by national and local government
instrumentalities.
Persons with Disabilities – include those who have long-term physical, mental,
intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder
their full and effective participation in society on equal basis with other.
Rehabilitation – an integrated physical, psychosocial, cultural, spiritual, educational or
vocational approach that improves conditions for the individuals, particularly a Person
with Disability, to attain the highest possible level of functional ability.
Relevant Unified Training Programs – skills training programs that match the interest
and aptitude of Persons with Disabilities and the demand of the labor market.
Rights of Persons with Disabilities – refer to the alienable and inalienable right of all
Persons with Disabilities to fully realize all universally recognized rights and
fundamental freedoms without discrimination of any kind on the basis of disability.
Self-Development – refers to the improvement of Person with Disabilities to enjoy and
exercise all their rights to participate in all rational endeavours of the society.
Self-Reliance – refers to personal independence or the ability to decide for personal
growth or development based on one’s own efforts and abilities.
Social Skills – generally refer to skills applied by a person to interact and communicate
with others.
Vocational Skills – generally refer to the skills in performing a particular trade/job/tasks
acquired through work experience, studies or other activities.
System of Equivalency – refers to an educational scheme that measures knowledge,
skills and prior learning obtained by individuals from non-formal, informal and
indigenous learning system as well as self-learning, independent and out-of-school
study programs particularly those that respond to community needs.
Unused Government Building – refer to idle or unoccupied structures or facilities owned
by the national/local government that are still structurally sound and conducive to
shelter multifarious (or diversified) activities of persons with disabilities.
RULE III
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE PROGRAMS FOR
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Section 1. The state shall ensure that persons with disabilities are given equal
opportunities to attain economic independence.
Section 2. The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), in coordination with all
national government agencies and instrumentalities including Government-Owned and
Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), Government Financial Institutions (GFIs), State
Universities and Colleges (SCUs), and Local Government Units (LGUs) shall adhere to
and compliant to the Convention on the Rights of Person with Disabilities in developing
national economic and fiscal policies, programs and project that will address the