A PERSON with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) is being pushed in Benguet.
Provincial Board Member Jim Botiwey, Committee Chair On Health And Services proposed an ordinance creating the PDAO and its advisory board saying there is a need to address the plight of the person with disabilities (PWD) sector as a priority concern.
“The reason why we would like to pass this ordinance, we are trying to put attention also to PWD that is why we would like to create an office. Together with the PDAO there would also be a committee,” Botiwey said.
Under the proposed measure, the governor will manage and oversee the operations of PDAO pursuant to Section 1 of Republic Act (RA) 10070 entitled, “An Act Establishing an institutional mechanism to ensure the implementation of programs and services for PWDs in every province, city and municipality amending RA 7277.”
He must also appoint PDAO officer and personnel to head and manage the office.
“The PWDs by reason of some restrictions in their abilities, are certainly the most disadvantaged sector of society. Most of them lacked the educational attainment for employment,” he added.
The proposed ordinance covers any person suffering from restriction of different abilities due to physical, mental impairment or disorder or handicap conditions which include but not limited to visual impairment, orthopedically handicapped, or mentally challenged.
The PDAO is seen to be established preferably in the provincial capitol compound. The salaries of the personnel, maintenance and operating expenses of the office will be drawn from the general fund of the provincial government.
A Person with Disabilities Affairs Officer will be tasked to formulate and implement policies, plans and programs for the welfare of PWDs in the province and coordinate with national government agencies such as the National Council for Disability Affairs and various local government offices.
An advisory board led by the provincial governor and the Provincial Board with representatives of the different departments of the provincial government will be created to review and provide guidance to the operation of the PWD office.
Following the public hearing on Tuesday, April 2, the ordinance will be brought back to the Provincial Board regular session for second reading.