The Declaration of 2013-2022 as Philippine Decade for Persons with Disabilities

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared the period of 2013-2022 as the Philippine Decade of “Make the Right Real” for persons with disabilities (PWDs), in support of the 3rd Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities.

During the regular press briefing in Malacañang, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said President Aquino issued the directive by virtue of Proclamation No. 688 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. last November 22.

The Proclamation No. 125 (series 1993) and Proclamation No. 240 (series 2002) declared the nationwide observance in the Philippines of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities in 1993-2002 and 2003-2012, respectively.

Last October 29 to November 2, 2012, the High-Level Intergovernment Meeting on the Final Review of the Implementation of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012 was held at Incheon, Republic of Korea.

In the said meeting, the participants, which included the Philippine delegation, adopted the Ministerial Declaration on the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013-2022, and the Incheon Strategy to “Make the Right Real” for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (Incheon Strategy).

During the National Council on Disability Affairs’ regional consultation, the observance of a third decade of PWDs for the period of 2013-2022 was recommended to build on the gains towards disability-inclusive development.

To implement this, President Aquino directed the National Council on Disability Affairs to lead all disability-related efforts by formulating and issuing a comprehensive National Plan of Action for Decade which translates the objectives of Batas Pambansa Blg. 344, Republic Act Nos. 7277, 9442, 10070 and 10524, and other disability-related laws, programs and policies into concrete programs, activities and projects.

The Chief Executive also enjoined all departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the national government and local government units (LGUs) to implement plans, programs and activities geared towards the development of PWDs in accordance with the Incheon Strategy.

Meanwhile, the National Council on Disability Affairs shall carry out the President’s directive in consultation with the private sector, civil society and LGUs.

The funds necessary for the implementation of the provisions shall be sourced from the appropriations of concerned government agencies.

Written by Liz Navera, Bicol Pulse

http://www.bicolpulse.com