Acknowledgments and Executive Summary
Acknowledgement
This study was made possible through the generous and unselfish contribution and support of the following:
- Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) – for financial support provided through the Disability Rights Promotion International (DRPI) project
- Disability Rights Promotion International (DRPI)– for technical support in conducting the study through its Co-Director, Dr. Marcia Rioux;
- Dr. Bengt Lindqvist – for his leadership and support as Co-Director of DRPI.
- Ms. Venus M. Ilagan – for bringing DRPI. to the Philippines; Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA) through Danish Society of
- Polio and Accident Victims (PTU) - for giving financial support to KAMPI Secretariat;
- NCDA– for extending logistical and technical support through its Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Mateo Leo Jr. and its staff Mr. Dandy Victa;
- The Research Team headed by its Lead Monitor, Mr. Lauro Purcil Jr., and the devoted researchers.
- The KAMPI. Secretariat through its Executive Director, Ms. Sonia Rina Figueroa;
- The individual private sector who supported the team in its research in the person of Bing David and Josephine de Vera
- Various organizations of Persons with Disabilities and national government agencies for their cooperation and support to the survey; and
- Abner Manlapaz for giving information and data for the research
Our sincerest gratitude to all of you. Thank you very much!
MR. BRICCIO AGUILAR (KAMPI President)
Executive Summary
The 1987 Philippine Constitution1 is a result of a bloodless revolution against dictatorship. Primarily aimed to re-institute democratic principles in government and society, the document places emphasis on the Bill of Rights. In fact, human rights are the core and soul of the Constitution. For this reason, the Constitution explicitly declares full equality of all in the eyes of the law and in the benefits of liberty and freedom and the subsequent social and economic progress the new era will bring.
The Philippines historically is an accessible country to peoples from foreign lands. It is populated by hospitable citizens, consistently in love with freedom, peace and liberty. Owing to this nature, the country welcomes all friends and even reaches out to network and cooperate to ensure benefits on peace, and equality and progress to all peoples of the world. With this type of culture, one must not be surprised to find a provision in the Constitution that declares too that all international treaties entered into by government shall then be significant parts of the legal framework and principles of the nation. Among the Treaties embraced by the Philippines are the eight (8) United Nations core human rights covenants which now include the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities or CRPD.
A careful observer of Philippine Law shall discover basic elements of respect for human rights, thus it can be expected the prior to the ratification of CRPD, one could read relevant laws and policies that readily respond to CRPD mandates.
Republic Act 7277 of 19922, the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons is the chief policy document for Filipinos with Disabilities. It incorporate the earlier Batas Pambansa 344 of 19833 or the Accessibility Law through a provision. In 2006, Republic Act 94424 amended RA277, by adding social and economic provisions like the 20% discount on purchase of medicie and daily essentials including transportations and recreational services.
Areas like education, rehabilitation, health, employment, civil and political rights, reasonable accommodation, anti discrimination, anti poverty, accessibility, transportation, telecommunications and information communication technology (ICT), social security, economic independence and even international cooperation are well addressed in various legal documents and policy statements. Budget allocations to explicitly set funds for the enhancement of services to the sector
. Even the transitions from the medical views, to social context and rights based paradigms are pronounced in government documents. The problem is the enormous gaps between policy declarations and actual implementation.
The sector of persons with disabilities is not that wanting in terms of advocacy, vigilance and militancy. Perhaps, consistency of the effort is the issue. Nevertheless, efforts are continuing to correct what has been wrong in the paradigm and improve in those that have been done rightly in terms of advocacy.
Significantly, access to justice is a major issue that has to be promptly pursued. In a culture where laws are looked upon not as mandates but as mere suggestions that can be violated at will and with impunity, prosecuting violators may have a substantial impact on respect of the inherent dignity and full equality of Filipinos with disabilities. Education must be expanded as well modified to realize the goal of Education For All.The same has to be exerted in other fields of services already enumerated in the earlier paragraph 4.
International networking is far healthier today than a decade ago. With the proliferation of ICT and accessible assistive devices, advocates for the sector can instantly connect with the global community of persons with disabilities, both to contribute as well as to seek assistance.
Yes, there is much room for improvements, but, there are exciting reasons for optimism. Filipinos with disabilities, like their counterparts around the world, will not let go of the opportunity to liberate the sector from its historical second or third class citizenship status among the species of humans. Beyond representation, the principle of full participation shall be championed and translated into determined actions until the goal of full equality and enjoyment of human rights on an equal basis with the rest of our brothers and sisters on the planet is attained. In this noble endeavor, Filipinos with disabilities shall welcome the partnership of all, parents, families, friends, professionals, governments, non governmental organizations and others.