experiences of persons with disabilities as discussed above. Thus, the twin-track approach
ensures that the government would provide reasonable accommodation xx to persons with
disabilities. The fundamental factor remains that an adequately responsive program of the
government during these times of crisis, inclusive of its operational details, would be
developed and implemented during active consultation with and participation of persons with
disabilities in their capacity as rights-holders.
A fully operationalized twin-track approach, where reasonable accommodation is
observed, ensures that persons with disabilities are not discriminated such as in the
government's social amelioration programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is anchored
on Article 5 (3), UNCRPD, which provides:
“In order to promote equality and eliminate discrimination, States Parties
shall take all appropriate steps to ensure that reasonable accommodation is
provided.”
IV. SYNTHESIS
The rights-based model of disability calls for a disability-inclusive response to the
COVID-19 crisis. Such response must reflect the government's commitment to respect, protect
and fulfill all human rights of persons with disabilities, in particular Article 28 in relation to
Article 6 and 7 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Thus, we implore the Philippine Government to consistently adopt the twin-track approach
and maintain a gender and intersectional framework, with emphasis on reasonable
accommodation of multiple vulnerabilities of all types of persons with disabilities. Active
consultation with and inclusion of persons with disabilities and their representative
organizations is key.
Let copies of this advisory be furnished to the concerned government agencies,
particularly the Inter-agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases
and its Technical Working Group on Social Amelioration (under Joint Memorandum Circular
No. 1, series of 2020), local government units, persons with disabilities and their
representative organizations, and the public at large through posting in the CHR website.
ISSUED this 29th day of April 2020, Quezon City, Philippines.
JOSE LUIS MARTIN C. GASCON
Chairperson
KAREN S. GOMEZ-DUMPIT
Commissioner
LEAH C. TANODRA-ARMAMENTO
Commissioner
i
ii
GWENDOLYN LL. PIMENTEL-GANA
Commissioner
ROBERTO EUGENIO T. CADIZ
Commissioner
National Council on Disability Affairs Board Resolution No. 1, Series of 2016
See https://psa.gov.ph/content/disability-spares-no-one-new-perspective (accessed 18 March
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