THE Davao City Council approved on third and final reading Tuesday an ordinance that seeks to raise public awareness on the impact of expressions or jokes referenced on physical disabilities on persons with disabilities (PWD).

Wilberto Al-ag, chair of the committee on social services, said the ordinance was created following the appeal of the Association of Differently Abled Persons (Adap) to make the public aware that expressions like “Ngano? Pungkol ka?” are offensive or discriminatory to the PWDs.

“Bisag joke na siya but ang mga persons with disabilities, masakitan pud sila. (Even if it is just a joke but the PWDs also get offended) So we created a resolution to reinforce the existing laws,” he said.

He added the ordinance supports the Republic Act (RA) 9442 or An Act Amending Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as The “Magna Carta For Disabled Persons, and for other purposes.”

Under Section 40 of the law, no individual, group or community shall make fun, contemptuously imitate or mock persons with disabilities in any time and place which could intimidate or result in loss of self-esteem of the latter.

Penalties for violators under the law range from P5,000 to P200,000 or imprisonment for not less than two years but not more than six years or both at the discretion of the court.

“Ang hangyo sa ADAP nga maghatag og awareness sa mga katawhan diri sa Davao (Adap pleaded to make the public aware of these situations),” he said in an interview after the regular session.

He said public awareness campaigns will be disseminated through the media and social media accounts of the City Government of Davao and the City Social Services and Development Office.

He also encouraged PWDs to report cases of discrimination to these offices or through the ADAP.