Executive Order No. 417
MALACAÑANG
Manila
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 417
DIRECTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES (PWDs)
WHEREAS, it is a policy of the State under the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines to protect the rights
of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and promote their welfare and development;
WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, also
affirms and mandates the rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance, and integration of PWDs
into the mainstream society;
WHEREAS, the General Appropriations Act explicitly provides funding mechanisms for programs and
projects of PWDs and their organizations from at least one percent (1%) of the total yearly budget of all
National Government Agencies and instrumentalities including Government Financial Institutions and
Government owned and controlled corporations;
WHEREAS, Proclamation No. 240 on the Philippine Decade of Disabled Persons 2003-2012 further
instructs all Heads of Departments, Chiefs of Bureaus, Offices, Agencies and Instrumentalities of the
National Government, Local Government Units to implement plans, programs and activities geared
towards the development of PWDs;
WHEREAS, the National Anti-Poverty Action Program and the Administration’s 10-Point Legacy
Agenda target the delivery of services to and the development of the marginalized basic sectors, such as
PWDs;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the
powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:
SECTION 1. Implementation of the Economic Independence Program for Persons with Disabilities – All
national government agencies including government owned and controlled corporations are enjoined to
support and cooperate in the implementation of the Economic Independence Program for PWDs
SECTION 2. Enhancement of the Social and Vocational Skills Capabilities of PWDs – In order to develop
and enhance the social and vocational skills capacities of PWDs:
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall develop and implement a national
social preparation program that will deal on moral values and work ethics of entrepreneurs with
disabilities;
The Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) shall continually develop a system of equivalency
to ensure PWDs’ access to employment and entrepreneurship;