National Council on Disability Affairs (Philippines)

National Council on Disability Affairs
Abbreviation NCDA
Formation January 4, 1981
Location
  • Isidora Street, Brgy. Holy Spirit, Diliman, Quezon City, 1127 Philippines
Chairperson
 Hon. Rosie Lovely T. Romulo
Website www.ncda.gov.ph

The Philippines' National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) (formerly National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons or NCWDP) is the national government agency mandated to formulate policies and coordinate the activities of all agencies, whether public or private, concerning disability issues and concerns. As such, the NCWDP is the lead agency tasked to steer the course of program development for persons with disabilities and the delivery of services to the sector.

By virtue of Presidential Executive Order No. 709[1] issued last February 26, 2008, it redefines the functions and organizational structure of the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP) and renames it as the "National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA)."

NCDA is tasked to monitor the implementation of several laws to ensure the protection of Persons With Disabilities (PWD)s' civil and political rights. These laws include the Republic Act No. 7277 otherwise known as Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 or Accessibility Law. Also included are Republic Act 6759 or White Cane Act and ILO Convention No. 159 or the Vocational Rehabilitation of Persons With Disability. It has also been tasked, through Proclamation No. 125, to coordinate activities and to monitor the observance of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (1993-2002) in the Philippines. Proclamation No. 125 was issued by the President Fidel V. Ramos on January 15, 1993, to enjoin both the government and the private entities to organize projects based on the policy categories mentioned in the agenda for action of the decade.

NCDA was an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). However, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the Office of the President to further strengthen the government programs for the welfare of persons with disabilities. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the President effected the transfer through Executive Order No. 676 to closely monitor and improve the government action and program development for persons with disabilities and delivery of services to the sector.[2]

History

Based on historical accounts the government's concern for the disabled persons began as early as 1917 and the national concern for rehabilitation was manifested by non-government organizations as well. On January 16–20, 1978, the country hosted the Second International Conference on Legislation Concerning the Disabled organized by the Rehabilitation International's national affiliate, the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation for Disabled Persons (PFRD). During the said conference, President Ferdinand Marcos signed Presidential Decree No. 1509 creating the National Commission Concerning Disabled Persons (NCCDP). NCCDP was tasked to prepare and adopt an integrated and comprehensive long-term National Rehabilitation Plan (NRP).

From the time of its inception in 1978, the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of Disabled, Inc. (PFRD) served as the Commission's Secretariat to assist the NCCDP Board in the implementation of its objectives and functions. This arrangement stayed in effect until P.D. 1509 was amended by P.D. 1761 on January 4, 1981.

With the success of the important work began during the International Year of Disabled Persons in 1981, the Decade of Disabled Persons (1981-1991) was proclaimed for nationwide observance on December 17, 1981 with NCCDP as lead agency.

Powers and functions

Objectives

  1. To formulate and advocate policies according to internationally and nationally accepted standards in the areas of prevention of the causes of disability, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
  2. To develop, promote and regularly review the national plan for the prevention, rehabilitation, full participation and equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities.
  3. To coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of policies, plans and programs.
  4. To advocate/promote respect for rights and privilege of Persons With Disabilities.

Thrusts and directions for 2008

  1. Maintains and strengthens coordination and networking with local government units, non-government organizations, people’s organizations and other concerned agencies and get their commitment to implement programs in line with national and international mandates on disability;
  2. Promotes the institutionalization of Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR), Non-Handicapping Environment (NHE), accessible Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for persons with disability as part of Web accessibility initiatives in the Philippines, Republic Act No. 9442 or the Amendment of the Magna Carta for the Disabled Persons, 1% budgetary allocation for persons with disability and older persons and other emerging disability trends and concerns;
  3. Strengthens the Regional Committees for the Welfare of Disabled Persons as a structure for consultation and coordination through the provision of technical assistance and resource augmentation to link with local government units;
  4. Intensifies advocacy in support of programs for persons with disability and other disability-related matters, i.e. education, skills development or training on ICT;
  5. Monitors and assesses the implementation of the national and international mandates on disability in consultation with concerned government organizations, non-government organizations, people’s organizations and local government units;[3]
  6. Strengthens database on disability for policy formulation and program development.
  7. Conducts policy review and consultation dialogues with different stakeholders, right holders and duty bearers in preparation for the participation on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.[4]

National and international non-government agency affiliates/partners

References

  1. ↑ E.O. No. 709 signed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita - NCDA Official Website
  2. ↑ Philippine Information Agency News Archive
  3. ↑ UN approves RP initiative on disabled News Article from Philippine Daily Inquirer
  4. ↑ UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
  5. ↑ Abilympics Philippines - Main government organization
  6. ↑ List of Focal Organizations from the Philippines - Asia-Pacific Center on Disability Official Website
  7. ↑ List of Partner Members - Digital Access for Information Systems Official Website
  8. ↑ Partner Organizations - Handicap International Philippines Website
  9. ↑ Training Partners - MCCID Official Website
  10. ↑ About Us - PWAG Official Website
  11. ↑ Workshops NCR - Vision Office Limited, Canada Official Website
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