Government Implementation of the Standard Rules
As Seen By Member Organizations of
Disabled Peoples' International - DPI

Philippines

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© Dimitris Michailakis 1997

National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, Philippines
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General policy

The officially recognized disability policy is expressed in law, in guidelines adopted by the government, in guidelines adopted by the national disability council and in policy adopted by NGO's. According to the Government, disability policy is not expressed in policy adopted by NGO's. The emphasis in this policy is on rehabilitation, prevention, accessibility measures, anti-discrimination law and individual support.

By means of new legislation and information campaigns the government has conveyed the message of full participation.

Legislation

The rights of persons with disabilities are protected by a combination of special legislation and general legislation. The judicial mechanisms adopted to protect the rights of persons with disabilities are due process (legal remedy through the courts) and recourse procedure by a special agency, dealing with anti-discrimination issues. The administrative and other non-judicial bodies include an ombudsman and a commission on Human rights. According to the Government, the judicial mechanism does not include recourse procedure by a special agency, dealing with anti-discrimination issues. The non-judicial mechanisms, however, only include a governmental body (administrative).

General legislation applies to persons with different disabilities with respect to education, employment, the right to marriage, the right to parenthood/family, political rights, access to court of law, the right to privacy and property rights. The following benefits are guaranteed by law to persons with disabilities: training, rehabilitation and counselling, and participation in decisions affecting themselves. According to the Government, even the benefits of health and medical care and employment are guaranteed by law to persons with disabilities.

New legislation has been enacted since the adoption of the Rules. The Government states, however, that no legislation has been enacted.

Accessibility

There are rules to ensure accessibility of the built environment requiring that public places, the outdoor environment, means of public transportation are made accessible. Accessibility in the built environment is observed by a national authority, by local governments and by the United Association of Architects. The following measures have been promoted by the government in order to facilitate accessibility in the built environment: levelling off pavements, marking parking areas and ensuring access to public places. There are no special transport arrangements. According to the Government, special transport arrangements include a discounted fare program for persons with disabilities available for any kind of travel. The most difficult obstacles, when planning to build accessible environments, are attitudinal factors, economic/budgetary factors, technical factors, lack of co-operation from other organizations/institutions and lack of enforcement mechanism. There is a disability awareness component incorporated in the training of planners, architects and construction engineers.

Sign language is recognized as the official language of deaf people and is used as the first language in education of deaf people. There are no government measures to encourage media and other forms of public information to make their services accessible for persons with disabilities. The Government states that such measures exist. The only measure provided to facilitate information and communication between persons with disabilities and others is sign language interpretation, available for any purpose. According to the Government, even literature in Braille/tape is provided.

Organizations of persons with disabilities

There is a national umbrella organization. There are legal provisions mandating the representatives of persons with disabilities to participate in policy-making and to work with governmental institutions. Disability organizations are always consulted, when laws and regulations with a disability aspect are being prepared. Consultations occur at the national level. According to the Government consultations occur also at the regional and local levels. The government gives technical support to existing or new organizations of persons with disabilities. The Government states even financially supporting organizations of disabled people. Persons with disabilities participate to a very limited extent in judiciary, political parties, to some extent in government and legislatures, and to a great extent in NGO's. The role of disabled persons organizations is to advocate rights and improved services, mobilize persons with disabilities, identify needs and priorities, participate in the planning, implementation and evaluation of services and measures concerning the lives of persons with disabilities, contribute to public awareness and promote/organize income generating activities.

Co-ordination of work

The national co-ordinating committee is reporting to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Development. The committee includes representatives of many Ministries, of organizations of persons with disabilities, of other NGO's, and representatives from the private sector. According to the Government, the co-ordinating committee does not include representatives from the private sector. The government expects the co-ordinating committee to participate in policy development and to perform other tasks. The establishment of the committee has led to improved co-ordination of measures/programmes, improved legislation, improved integration of responsibility, a better dialogue in the disability field, more accurate planning, more effective use of resources and improved promotion of public awareness.

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