Negros Occidental 5th district Rep. Ma. Lourdes “Marilou” T. Arroyo has sought to reorganize the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) into a National Commission on Disability Affairs to further strengthen its mandate to address the concerns, and needs of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The chairperson of the House Special Committee on Persons with Disability filed House Bill No. 6962, citing the need to establish a National Commission on Disability Affairs to formulate policies and coordinate activities for PWDs.

“Now, with the threat of COVID-19, life that was already complicated and challenging before the onset of this pandemic has gotten worse and has literally become a matter of survival or death. Immediate action by the government to include people with disabilities in responding to COVID-19 is expected so as not to put them under additional and unnecessary risks,” she said in her bill’s explanatory note.

She said under HB 6962, the Commission shall formulate policies and coordinate activities of all agencies, whether public or private, concerning disabilities issues and concerns.

“It shall be the lead agency tasked to steer the course of program development for PWDs and the delivery of service to the sector,” she said.

The Commission, which shall be headed by a Chairperson to be appointed by the President of the Philippines, shall be composed of Secretaries of five agencies as ex-officio members and private sector representatives.

“With this, the Commission will have a greater capacity and more support to collect data, identify needs, and formulate policies relating to PWDs,” Arroyo said.

Sitting as ex-officio members are Secretaries of the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd); Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); and the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Arroyo said under her bill, the Commission shall have one Regional Director for every region who shall supervise the official activities of all provinces, cities, and municipalities under the jurisdiction of the concerned region.

“The government must prevent discrimination and abuse against people with disabilities and remove barriers that prevent their full inclusion in society. With a stable institution that looks after the well-being of PWDs, they are ensured that the government acknowledges them as persons on equal basis with others,” she said.

Subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Commission shall determine its organisational structure and create new divisions or units as it may deem necessary, and shall appoint officer and employees of the Commission in accordance with the Civil Service Law, Rules, and Regulations, HB 6962 provides.

Within 60 days from the effectivity of the proposed Act, the NCDA, DBM, and other relevant government agencies shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of the proposed Act.