LGUs told: Ensure provision of assistance to PWDs

THE Department of Health (DOH)–National Capital Region (NCR) called on local executives of Metro Manila to ensure that their persons with disabilities (PWDs) constituents will not be denied of the privileges afforded to them by the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities.

DOH-NCR Director Dr. Eduardo Janairo said local government units (LGUs) have an equal responsibility as the National Government in providing assistance to PWDs.

“I enjoin the Metro Manila local chief executives to support our PWDs as we aim to provide PWDs equal opportunities so that they may participate actively in our society,” said Janairo.

Aside from the 20-percent discount privilege in the purchase of medicines, the Republic Act 7277 also afforded to PWDs financial assistance to economically marginalized disabled students, assistance in the acquisition of prosthetic devices and medical intervention of specialty services, and provision of day care services for disabled children of pre-school age.

Janairo said it is for this reason why they are calling on all PWDs to take time to register at the Person with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in every city or municipality.

“We are targeting that every PWD in Metro Manila will be registered and be provided with all the benefits afforded to them by law,” said the health official.

Based on the April 2012 PWD Registry by the DOH-NCR, there are a total of 1,112 registered PWDs in Metro Manila.

Data showed that comprising the most are those with hearing impairment with 476 cases, followed by orthodontic disability (including those with cleft lip and cleft palate) with 167 cases, and visual impairment with 141 cases.

He said they are looking to register all from the different types of disabilities, namely: chronic illness, speech and hearing impairment, learning, mental, orthodontic, psychosocial, visual, and those with multiple disabilities.

Janairo said they are also set to deploy local Community Health Teams to conduct house-to-house visits in a bid to register those who cannot have themselves enlisted in PDAOs. (HDT/Sunnex)