City officials recently expressed the full support of the local government for the passage of House Bill (HB) 8440 otherwise known as Act Providing for Lifetime Validity of Persons with Disability (PWD) Identification Cards issued to PWDs with Permanent Disability further amending for the purpose Republic Act (RA) 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons as amended.
In a resolution, local legislators stated that the lifetime validity of the PWD IDs will be an official recognition and validation of their unique needs and special situation and at the same time reducing their administrative burdens making it easy for them to expediently access services and entitlements without disruption.
The council claimed that PWDs are an essential part of the society and their integration to the mainstream community is among the institutionalized policies of international laws such as the United Nations Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
Further, local laws were also passed to facilitate the integration of PWDs into the mainstream society addressing the social, cultural, economic, environmental and attitudinal barriers that are prejudicial to PWDs such as RA 7277 and RA 10070 among others.
HB 8440 otherwise known as an Act Providing for Lifetime Validity of Persons with Disability identification Cards issued to PWDs with Permanent Disability, further amending for the Purpose RA 7277 otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Disabled persons as amended has been filed before the house of Representatives by Cagayan de oro Rep. Jordan Suan.
The legislative measure seeks the lifetime validity of identification cards of PWDs, especially for PWDs with permanent disabilities.
The body pointed out that PWDs with permanent disabilities still need to exert extra effort in renewing their identification cards or their PWD IDs every three years which is already burdensome to them as most of them may have difficulty in moving, hearing, seeing, and communicating as limited by their special situation.
The council stipulated that the said bill, if passed into law, would serve as an instrument to further the rights of PWDs under existing laws and to ensure equal treatment and non-discrimination.
Moreover, it would also increase their safety and security and advance the development of an inclusive and equal society.
Copies of the approved resolution will be transmitted to the house of representatives for information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action. By Dexter A. See