In a landmark move to advance the rights and welfare of Persons with Disability (PWDs), the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City has passed the “Comprehensive Persons with Disability Rights, Privileges, and Protection Ordinance”, setting a powerful precedent for inclusivity and justice in the region.
The ordinance, which outlines firm penalties against individuals and establishments that discriminate against PWDs, aims to address not only physical accessibility issues but also the pressing need for societal respect and equal treatment.
Under the new law, any individual who denigrates, vilifies, or publicly ridicules a person with disability will face a ₱1,000 fine for the first offense, ₱3,000 for the second, and ₱5,000 or one month of imprisonment, or both, for the third and succeeding offenses—subject to the court’s discretion.
Beyond individual accountability, the ordinance places equal emphasis on institutional responsibility. Establishments found violating the rights of PWDs will face separate charges under various national laws, including:
- RA 7277 – The Magna Carta for Disabled Persons
- RA 9442 – Expanded Benefits and Privileges of PWDs
- RA 11215 – The National Integrated Cancer Control Act
- RA 10747 – The Rare Diseases Act
- BP 344 – The Accessibility Law
Additionally, anyone caught possessing a falsified PWD ID will also be penalized, ensuring the integrity of PWD benefits and services.
According to Atty. Redendo Martinez, head of the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in Davao City, a Technical Working Group (TWG) will soon be formed to draft the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the ordinance. The group will include representatives from various sectors of the PWD community to ensure the IRR is inclusive and comprehensive.
“We are very happy that it has finally been passed. Our next step is to draft the IRR,” Martinez shared in an interview with Madayaw, expressing optimism that the ordinance will soon be signed into law by Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, especially as the city prepares to mark National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Month this July.
The passage of this ordinance is a major milestone in Davao City’s commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of its citizens, regardless of physical or mental ability. It sends a strong message that discrimination in any form has no place in a progressive, compassionate, and inclusive society.
As the city awaits the mayor’s signature and the subsequent IRR, advocates are hopeful that this bold legislation will spark awareness, empathy, and concrete action—not just in Davao, but across the country.