Republic Act No.
10070
ESTABLISHING INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM TO ENSURE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS
AND SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN EVERY PROVINCE, CITY AND MUNICIPALITY,
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MAGNA CARTA FOR DISABLED
PERSONS, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Section 40 of Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 40. Role of National Agencies and Local Government Units. (a) Local government units shall
promote the establishment of organizations of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in their respective
territorial jurisdictions. Â National agencies and local government units may enter into joint
ventures with organizations or associations of PWDs to explore livelihood opportunities and other
undertakings that shall enhance the health, physical fitness and the economic and social well-being
of PWDs.
(b) Local government units shall organize and establish the following:
(1) Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO)
PDAO shall be created in every province, city and municipality. The local chief executive shall
appoint a PWD affairs officer who shall manage and oversee the operations of the office, pursuant
to its mandate under this Act. Priority shall be given to qualified PWDs to head and man the said
office in carrying out the following functions:
Formulate and implement policies, plans and programs for the promotion of the welfare of PWDs in
coordination with concerned national and local government agencies;
(ii) Coordinate the implementation of the provisions of this Act, Batas Pambansa Blg. 344,
otherwise known as the Accessibility Law, and other relevant laws at the local level;
(iii) Represent PWDs in meetings of local development councils and other special bodies;
(iv) Recommend and enjoin the participation of nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and people’s
organizations (POs) in the implementation of all disability-related laws and policies;
(v) Gather and compile relevant data on PWDs in their localities;
(vi) Disseminate information including, but not limited to, programs and activities for PWDs,
statistics on PWDs, including children with disability, and training and employment opportunities
for PWDs;
(vii) Submit reports to the office of the local chief executive on the implementation of programs and
services for the promotion of the welfare of PWDs in their respective areas of jurisdiction;
(viii) Ensure that the policies, plans and programs for the promotion of the welfare of PWDs are
funded by both the national and local government;
(ix) Monitor fundraising activities being conducted for the benefit of PWDs;
(x) Seek donations in cash or in kind from local or foreign donors to implement an approved work
plan for PWDs, in accordance with existing laws and regulations; and
(xi) Perform such other functions as may be necessary for the promotion and protection of the
welfare of the PWDs.
(2) Focal Person
In consideration of budget restraints, local chief executives of fourth (4th), fifth (5th) and sixth (6th)
class municipalities may, in lieu of the creation of a PDAO, designate a focal person who shall
perform the functions of the PDAO. Priority in appointment should be given to a PWD with
experience in providing services to PWDs.
The establishment of a PDAO or the appointment of a focal person, as the case may be, should be
done in consultation and coordination with the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), NGOs
and POs.
SEC. 2. References to the term Disabled Persons on the title and other sections of the same Act are
hereby amended to read as Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
SEC. 3. Within three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act, appropriate agencies, headed by the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in consultation with the NCDA and
relevant NGOs and POs, shall review its implementation and recommend to Congress the need to
mandate the establishment of a PDAO in fourth (4th), fifth (5th) and sixth (6th) class municipalities.
SEC. 4. In order to effectively carry out the objectives of Republic Act No. 7277, the National
Government, through the DSWD, shall ensure that the annual budget includes provisions to fund
programs and provide support for PWDs.
Local government units shall likewise ensure that the necessary fund from any available local
revenues is allocated for the implementation of this Act for the benefit of PWDs in their
jurisdictions.
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, and rules and regulations
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the same shall
not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions hereof.
SEC. 7. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2)
newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette, whichever comes first.
Approved:
Signed
 PROSPERO C. NOGRALES
JUAN PONCE ENRILE
