CEBU, Philippines — Registration and issuance of identification cards for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Cebu City will be more accessible and convenient soon after the Cebu City Council approved on Wednesday the amendments to City Ordinance 2614 or the “Ordinance establishing the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) and Providing Funds for its Operations and Maintenance and for other purposes”.
Online appointments and delivery of PWD cards is now provided under the amended ordinance. Section 7-A of the ordinance mandated the PDAO to issue PWD IDs and to formulate and adopt internal rules and procedures that will make the issuance more accessible and convenient to PWDs.
Pursuant to the said provision, PDAO is tasked to establish an online appointment system and shall make it an option for a person to register online as a PWD; provided, that walk-in clients shall still be accepted.
“Furthermore, the PDAO shall also make it an option for PWDs to have their PWD Identification Cards delivered through registered mail or courier service,” it added.
The ordinance also highlighted the need to update the list of PWD residents of the city every year. As mandated by the ordinance, the master list must be updated not later than January 31 every year.
Councilor Jose Abellanosa said the amendments were aimed at streamlining the processes and to cater to the PWD community. He added, it is only proper that members of the PWD community can access the services in a timely and cost-effective manner from the comfort of their homes.
An initial amount of P2 million was earmarked for the operation of the online appointment system of PDAO upon the effectivity of the amended ordinance. The approved ordinance will be transmitted to the Office of the Mayor for approval and subsequent publication. –/FPL (FREEMAN)