COUNCILOR Isabelo Cosalan Jr., in his proposed resolution, urged concerned agencies to conduct a census within 60 days and come up with a list of persons with disabilities in the city of Baguio "for legislative support, planning and program implementation purposes."

Anchored on the local government code of 1991 and Republic Act 7277, known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, the proposal states there is a need to be properly updated on the city's population of Persons With Disability (PWD), household information, type of disability, intervention done by government and non-government agencies and other data needed in policy formulation, planning and program implementation.

In RA 7277, disabled persons are "part of the Philippine Society, thus the state shall give full support to the improvement of the total well-being of disabled persons and their integration into the mainstream of society."

The state "…shall develop their skills and potentials to enable them to compete favorably for available opportunities," the law also said, after the state shall have adopted policies ensuring the rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance of disabled persons.

The City Social Welfare and Development Officer, City Health Services Officer and the City Schools Superintendent-Department of Education are requested to do the survey as they are among those in the forefront to aid, rehabilitate, educate and help in the development of the local PWD populace.

Councilor Isabelo Cosalan Jr. heads the employment, livelihood and cooperatives and PWD committee. His office at city hall is a showcase of barangay livelihood efforts, including economic opportunities from re-used and recycled materials; in coordination with public and private organizations. He has also earlier proposed the creation of a Persons With Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in the city, pursuant to Republic Act 10070.

At least three personnel are expected to manage said office, if finally approved, for the benefit of PWDs “in coordination with national and local government agencies,” the other proposal states. (Julie Fianza)