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SOCIAL SERVICES
Magna Carta for Persons with Disability
"An American with the name Rosemary Musachio, who is physically challenged by cerebral palsy and who has been attached to a wheelchair all her life, wrote a moving poem in the early 1990s. With the permission of this august body, I would like to quote part of her poem entitled “ABLE”:
Although society deems me disabled,
My mind and soul are quite able
To rise above pity and stupidity.
My mind races to meet its ability;
My soul sings to reach equality
Mr. President, the poem I just read best captures the purpose and intent of your Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development in sponsoring Committee Report No. 255…. And that is, to recognize the abilities and potentials of our Persons with Disability and to grant them additional benefits and incentives.
Paraphrasing the words of our Great President Ramon Magsaysay, the father of our esteemed colleague from Zambales, Senator Jun Magsaysay, those who have less in physical abilities should have more in law. Mr. President, this proposed law embodies the clamor of our brothers and sisters with disability who are asking for special consideration from us who are fortunate to have complete use of our human faculties.
Ginoong Pangulo, makaraan ang isang dekada mula ng maisabatas ang Magna Carta for the Disabled, ang mga kapatid nating may kapansanan ay dumudulog muli sa ating kamara upang humingi ng karagdagang mga benepisyo at insentibo na naaayon sa kasalukuyang panahon.
Sa kadahilanang ito, Ginoong Pangulo at mga kagalang-galang kong kapwa Senador, ang inyong lingkod ay buong-karangalang iniuulat sa inyo ang Committee Report No. 255 na naglalayong palakasin at palawakin ang kasalukuyang Republic Act No. 7277 o ang Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.
Committee Report No. 255 is the consolidated version of the following Senate Bills: Senate Bill Nos. 11, 696, 925, 1085, 1088, 1395, 1570, 1685, authored by Senators Juan Flavier, Loren Legarda, Robert Barbers, Manuel Villar, Jr., Blas Ople, Aquilino Pimentel, Jr., and Gregorio Honasan.
A similar bill, or House Bill No. 779, introduced by Representatives Cynthia Villar, Manuel Zamora, among others, has also been passed on third reading by the House of Representatives, and such was duly considered in the drafting of the present Committee Report.
At this point Mr. President, may I be allowed to present to you specific proposed amendments of Committee Report No. 255 to Republic Act No. 7277:
First, in consideration of the recent developments in the international and local fora the Committee Report proposes to change the title from “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons” to Magna Carta for Persons with Disability”.
Second, a new chapter is added which provides for additional privileges and incentives to Persons with Disability such as:
- a 20 per cent discount on commercial establishments, transportation services, hotels and similar lodging establishments, restaurants and recreation centers, and drug stores.
- exemption from the payment of individual income taxes for Persons with Disability whose annual income does not exceed the yearly poverty level.
- (3) free medical and dental services in government medical establishments.
Finally, the bill proposes the grant of incentives to persons and establishments caring for and living with the Persons with Disability.
Dahil sa mga nabanggit na mahahalagang probisyon ng panukalang batas na ito, hinihikayat ko ang buong kinatawan ng Senado na ating lalong pagbutihin ang kalagayan ng ating mga kababayang may kapansanan upang kahit papaano ay maibsan ang hirap na dulot ng kanilang pisikal na kakulangan.
MARAMING SALAMAT PO AT MABUHAY ANG MGA PILIPINONG MAY KAPANSANAN!"
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