THE Department of Social Welfare and Development Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) urged Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) with identification cards to report establishments or individuals who will not honor the privileges given to them.
It was reported during the Madayaw sa Dabaw program on the Davao City Disaster Radio on December 2, 2022 that a mute person, who holds a PWD ID, was reprimanded by a security guard because his car was parked in the PWD parking lot. The PWD presented his ID but it was not acknowledged because the guard claims that he does not look like he is in a wheelchair.
“Pwede ni siya i-report, biskan kaning security guard, nilabag siya sa balaod kay klaro kaayo ang gi-present nga ID (The security guard can be reported for not recognizing the PWD ID),” Estrella Lozada, DSWD Davao PWD Sectoral Focal Person, said.
Lozada said getting a PWD ID is not easy and simple as they have to prove their disabilities.
She explained that there are different types of disabilities that a person may have and it is not only focused on physical disabilities.
According to DSWD categorization, physically disabled persons are those visually impaired, hearing impaired, Orthopedically disabled, and other physical disabilities (cleft palate, harelip which affects their speech).
There are mentally disabled persons like those improved mental patients, mentally retarded, autistic, attention deficit disorder, and an attention deficit hyperactive disorder.
Lozada added that they can also enjoy the 20 percent discount for medicine, hospitalization, laboratory, and in establishments that offer services like amusement and food, and even in public transportation.
Violators of RA 7277, also known as an Act Providing For The Rehabilitation, Self-Development, And Self-Reliance Of Disabled Person And Their Integration Into The Mainstream Of Society And For Other Purposes will be penalized.
“For the first violation, a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P 50,000.00) but not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos(P 100,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than two (2) years, or both at the discretion of the court,” the provision reads.
There are also penalties for those who consecutively violate the law.
The law states, “For any subsequent violation, a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P 100,000.00) but not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (P 200,000.00) or imprisonment for less than two (2) years but not more than six (6) years, or both at the discretion of the court.” KSD