Study finds low awareness, compliance with PWD law among LGUs
MAJORITY OF local government units (LGU) have shown to have low awareness and compliance to the provisions of the law requiring services and programs for persons with disabilities (PWD), according to a study by the Center for Local and Regional Governance (CLRG).
“Through a non-randomized survey, CLRG found low awareness among its local legislators on the requirements of RA (Republic Act) 10070,” CLRG said in a press statement for its PWD Policy forum held June 19.
RA 10070, which amends RA 7277 or the magna carta for disabled persons, was signed into law in 2010.
Only six out of 10 LGUs, for example, were shown to have complied with the requirement to create a PWD Affairs Office (PDAO).
“Poor compliance to the creation of a PDAO has consequences on meeting SDG (Sustainable development goals) targets, particularly for the PWD sector.” CLRG Director Erwin Gaspar A. Alampay said.
In his paper, with co-authors Elyzabeth L. Cureg and Don Jeffery A. Quebral, CLRG found that only seven LGUs give wide access of services for PWDs.
The study also found that 58% of provinces and 68% of higher income municipalities are not compliant with RA 10070.
CLRG stressed that the “absence of a PWD office would lessen the chance of change happening for the sector.” — Gillian M. Cortez
Alejano calls for more support to fishermen in Luzon western seaboard
REP. GARY C. Alejano of Magdalo Party-list on Wednesday urged the government to provide additional support to Filipino fishermen in the western seaboard. “Harassment of Filipino fisherfolk by the Chinese, in the West Philippine Sea is real and happening,” the solon said in a statement. Among his recommendations are setting guidelines in dealing with tensions and developing a scheduled fishing system in which fishermen will be accompanied by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Mr. Alejano also proposed to enhance PCG capability as well as provide fishing vessels and other equipment. “Being a maritime nation, there should be no question in modernizing our coast guard,” Mr. Alejano said. There are currently two pending bills seeking the modernization of the PCG, one of which was authored by Mr. Alejano. — Charmaine A. Tadalan
Set clear guidelines on anti-loitering campaign, Poe says
SENATOR GRACE Poe-Llamanzares on Wednesday said the implementation of “anti-tambay operations” ordered by President Rodrigo R. Duterte needs clear guidelines and safeguards on human rights. “The Philippine National Police should orient its enforcers on the ground on how to handle the so-called loiterers, mindful of their rights and exercising the highest degree of restraint that authorities should observe. We want this to succeed so that our streets would be ridden of criminals and unscrupulous elements without instilling fear and misery among the public,” she said in a statement. — Camille A. Aguinaldo
