Project to support empowerment of Persons with Disabilities launched

Three support organizations that promote the rights of persons with disabilities (PWD) have partnered together for a project that will adress the concerns of the Persons with Disabilities and help enhance their economic , political and public office participation.

Organized by the New Vois Association of the Philippines ( NVAP) , Akap- Pinoy and Pilipinos With Disabilities Inc. the project calls for increased participation of persons with disabilities in government , labor , and livelihood.

" While there are laws that provide opportunities for PWD's and protect them from discrimination , we know that implementation is another story. As a group that promotes the welfare of the differently abled, we realize what better way to ensure that these laws are observed that for these three organizations to come and work together, " said Emer Rojas , president of New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) , a group of speech -impaired PWD's , cancer survivors and tobacco victims, during the media launch of the project at Makati Shangrila Hotel on Thursday.

Among those that the three organizations will adress include the need for opportunities for PWD's to engage in livelihood and employment . Executive order 417 ,signed in 2005 , mandates government to support the PWD entrepreneurs by procuring 10% of their procurement requirements from PWD organizations and cooperatives . On the other hand, there is also Republic Act 10524 recently signed into law in April 2013 requires all government offices and state corporations to reserve one percent of its workforce to PWDs.

Manuel Agcaoili, chairman of Akap-Pinoy ,said there is also a need to increase PWD's access to political participation by encouraging them to run in government office and practice their right to suffrage.

" Our experience during the last May national elections where many of our members took to the polling place to cast their votes despite the absence of friendly facilities is proof that there is a need to improve our polling precincts and make them accessible to PWDs. It is fortunate that we now have the right to accessible polling places as enshrined in RA10366. We hope to see this law implemented in time for the 2016 elections, " said Agcaoli.

The three organizations also encourage PWDs to run for government position and champion the rights of their constituents. Michael Barredo , former nominee of party list Pilipino With Disabilities who ran during the May party list organizations, said there are other laws whose implementation have yet to materialize like RA 10070 which mandates the creation of PWD offices in all first and third class municipalities and cities nationwide.

" There are a number of laws that empower PWDs to live on equal basis with the rest of society but unfortunately no one is monitoring and ensuring that these measures are being followed on the ground, explained Barredo.

Meanwhile , Rojas and Agcaoili also broached the need for a database of all PWD organizations to have accurate and reliable information of everyone belonging to this sector. 

" We will review existing laws, most importantly RA7277 or the Magna Carta of PWDs, to make sure that its provision are relevant and doable in order to address the real needs of our constituents , " they added.

" We also would like to express our fervent gratitude to the British Embassy for supporting this noble endeavor which we hope would further empower PWDs nationwide , " said Rojas.