Araw ng PWDs

TUWING Disyembre 3 taun-taon, inoobserba ang International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) sa pangunguna ng United Nations. Ang tema ngayong taon ay “Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all.”

Ayon sa UN, mahigit isang bilyong katao ay may disa­bility. “Persons with disabilities face physical, social, economic and attitudinal barriers that exclude them from participating fully and effectively as equal members of society. They are disproportionately represented among the world’s poorest, and lack equal access to basic resources, such as education, employment, healthcare and social and legal support systems, as well as have a higher rate of mortality.”

Kaugnay nito, isinusulong ni Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada ang Senate Bill 854 (Magna Carta for Persons with Disability) na nagsasaad ng mga sumusunod:

“The title of Republic Act 7277 (Magna Carta for Disabled Persons) is hereby amended to read as the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability.”

“PWDs shall be entitled to: 1) Twenty percent discount from all commercial establishments, transportation services, hotels and similar lodging establishments, restaurants, recreation centers including theaters, cine­ma houses, concert halls, circuses, carnivals and similar places of culture, leisure and amusement; 2) Ten percent discount on purchase of branded medicines and 20% for generic medicines anywhere in the country… the Bureau of Internal Revenue shall give to these private establishments tax credits equivalent to the cost of discount; 3) Exemp­tion from payment of individual income taxes, provided that their annual taxable income does not exceed poverty level as determined by the National Economic and Development Authority; 4) Full medical and dental services in government establishments anywhere in the country subject to the guidelines to be issued by the Department of Health; 5) Continuance of benefits and privileges given by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS) and Pag-IBIG.”

Ang mga tao, grupo o institusyon na kumakalinga sa PWDs ay bibigyan din ng ayuda at insentibo.