Overview
Country
Philippines
1/ Background Statistics
Human development index rank
97 1
GNI per capita (PPP in US$)
4,002 1
Life expectancy at birth (years)
72.3 1
Mean years of schooling (years)
8.7 1
Expected years of schooling (years)
11.5 1
Total population
93,261,000 2
2/ Disability Statistics
Population of persons with disabilities
942,000 3
Proportion of persons with disabilities to
total population
1.23 per cent 3
Employment rate of persons with
disabilities
..
Access to education
3 to 5 per cent 4
3/ Definitions
Definition of disability
According to Magna Carta for Disabled
Persons (1991), “disability – shall mean (1) a
physical impairment that substantially limits one or
more psychological, physiological or anatomical
function of an individual or activities of such
individual; (2) a record of such an impairment; or (3)
being regarded as having such an impairment.”
Definition of persons with disabilities
The Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (1991),
defines “disabled persons” as “those suffering from
restriction or different abilities, as a result of a
mental, physical or sensory impairment, to perform
an activity in the manner or within the range
considered normal for a human being.”
Categories of impairment
..
4/ Commitment to International Instruments on Disability
Ratification or signatory of the Convention
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
(CRPD), and its Optional Protocol
Signed Convention on 25 September 2007;
Ratified Convention on 15 April 2008 5
Ratification of ILO Convention 159
Ratified Convention on 23 August 1991 6
Ratification or signatory of the Convention
on Cluster Munitions
Signed Convention on 3 December 2008 7
Ratification or signatory of the Convention
on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling,
Signed Convention on 3 December 1997;
Ratified Convention on 15 February 2000 8
Overview
Country
Philippines
Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel
Mines and on their Destruction
5/ Legal Framework
Constitution of the Philippines (1987, art. 5, 13 and
14)
Constitutional provisions
Disability-specific laws
Comprehensive
Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (1991); Magna
Carta for Public Social Workers (2007); Economic
Independence Programme for Persons with
Disabilities (2005)
Sectoral
Cover: self-help organizations; early detection,
intervention and education; access to built
environments
Disability-inclusive laws
..
6/ Policy Framework
Disability-specific policies
Comprehensive
National Plan of Action for the Philippine Decade of
Persons with Disabilities 2003 - 2012
Sectoral
..
Disability-inclusive
Medium Term Philippines Development Plan 20042010
7/ Institutional Framework
The national coordination mechanism or
disability focal point
National Council on Disability Affairs
Sources:
1. United Nations Development Programme (2010). Human Development Report 2010 (New York,
UNDP).
2. United Nations (2011). World Population Prospects: The 2010 Revision, accessed from
http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/index.htm on 28 July 2011.
3. Philippines (2005a). “Persons with Disability Comprised 1.23 Per cent of the Total Population, A
Special Release Based on the Results of Census 2000”, 5 March (Philippines National Statistics
Office), accessed from www.census.gov.ph/data/sectordata/sr05150tx.html on 28 July 2011.
4. Asian Development Bank (2005). “Disabled People and Development: Philippines Country Report”
(Foundation for International Training and Regional and Sustainable Development Department),
June, accessed from www.adb.org/Documents/Reports/Disabled-PeopleDevelopment/Philippines.pdf on 28 July 2011.
5. United Nations (2011). “Convention and Optional Protocol Signatures and Ratifications”, on the
United Nations Enable website, accessed from
www.un.org/disabilities/countries.asp?navid=12&pid=166 on 17 October 2011.
6. International Labour Organization (2011). “Convention No. C 159”, accessed
from www.ilo.org/ilolex/cgi-lex/ratifce.pl?C159 on 17 October 2011.
7. Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) (2008). “Ratifications and Signatures”, accessed from
www.clusterconvention.org/ratifications-and-signatures on 17 October 2011.
8. Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel
Mines and on their Destruction (1997). “State Parties and Signatories”, accessed from
www.unog.ch/80256EE600585943/(httpPages)/6E65F97C9D695724C12571C0003D09EF?OpenDo
cument on 17 October 2011.
Notes:
Comprehensive
1. Definitions
a) Disability
According to Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (1991), “disability – shall mean (1) a physical
impairment that substantially limits one or more psychological, physiological or anatomical function
of an individual or activities of such individual; (2) a record of such an impairment; or (3) being
regarded as having such an impairment.” (Philippines 1992, sect. 4 (c))
b) Persons with disabilities
The Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (1991), defines “disabled persons” as “those suffering
from restriction or different abilities, as a result of a mental, physical or sensory impairment, to
perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being.”
(Philippines 1992, sect. 4 (a)).
c) Categories of impairment
..
2. Legal framework
a) Constitutional provisions

Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, 1987
[English] – [Tagalog]
The disability-related provisions under the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines
(Philippines 1987) are as follows:

Article 5 on Suffrage

Section 2 states that “the Congress shall provide a system for securing the secrecy and
sanctity of the ballot as well as a system for absentee voting by qualified Filipinos abroad.
The Congress shall also design a procedure for the disabled and the illiterates to vote
without the assistance of other persons. Until then, they shall be allowed to vote under
existing laws and such rules as the Commission on Elections may promulgate to protect the
secrecy of the ballot.” (Philippines 1987, art. 5, sect. 2)

Article 13 on Social Justice and Human Rights

"[T]he Congress shall provide a system for securing the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot
as well as a system for absentee voting by qualified Filipinos abroad. The Congress shall
also design a procedure for the disabled and the illiterates to vote without the assistance of
other persons. Until then, they shall be allowed to vote under existing laws and such rules
as the Commission on Elections may promulgate to protect the secrecy of the ballot.”
(Philippines 1987, art. 13, sect. 2)

“[T]he State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development
which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to
all people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged sick,
elderly, disabled, women, and children. The State shall endeavor to provide free medical
care to paupers.” (Philippines 1987, art. 13, sect. 11)

“[T]he State shall establish a special agency for disabled persons for rehabilitation, selfdevelopment and self-reliance, and their integration into the mainstream of society.”
(Philippines 1987, art. 13, sect. 13)


Article 14 on Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports
“[T]he State shall: (5) Provide adult citizens, the disabled, and out-of-school youth with
training in civics, vocational efficiency, and other skills.” (Philippines 1987, art. 14, sect. 2)
b) Disability-specific laws and regulations
i. Comprehensive disability-specific laws and regulations

Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, 1991
[English] – [Tagalog]

and its implementing rules and regulations
[English] – [Tagalog]
Republic Act 7277, an Act Providing for the Rehabilitation, Self -Development and SelfReliance of Disabled Persons and their Integration into the Mainstream of Society and for Other
Purposes, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (Philippines 1991), is the
centerpiece disability legislation of the Philippines. The Magna Carta is a comprehensive
legislation covering the rights and privileges of persons with disabilities to employment, health,
education, auxiliary social services, accessibility, telecommunications, and political and civil rights.
The Law identifies specific programmes and services to ensure the rights and privileges of
persons with disabilities, including employment (chap. 1), education (chap. 2), health (chap. 3),
auxiliary social services (chap. 4), telecommunications (chap. 5), accessibility (chap. 6), political
and civil rights (chap. 7) and identifies the appropriate departments or agencies of Government to
carry out the provisions. Provisions on fund appropriation, enforcement and penalties are included.
The Magna Carta has a Title (III) devoted to provisions that prohibit discrimination against
persons with disabilities as regards employment, transportation, and the use of public
accommodations and services. Descriptions of acts that are considered discriminatory against
persons with disabilities are included.

Republic Act 9442, 2007
[English] – [Tagalog]

and its implementing rules and regulations
[English] – [Tagalog]
Enacted in 2007 as an amendment to the Magna Carta of 1992, Republic Act 9442
(Philippines 2007) and its implementing rules and regulations, provide for privileges and incentives
for persons with disabilities as well as for people caring for and living with persons with disabilities.
Moreover, it expands Title III on prohibition of discrimination to include verbal, non-verbal ridicule
and vilification against persons with disabilities.
Privileges for persons with disabilities include educational assistance at all levels, discounts
to various medical, recreational and transportation services, among others, provision of express
lanes in Government and commercial establishments (where queuing is necessary).
Individual taxpayers living with persons with disabilities may declare them as dependents and
thereby pay lower taxes.

Economic Independence Programme for Persons with Disabilities, 2005
(Executive Order No 417)
[English] – [Tagalog]
Supported by all Government agencies, the Economic Independence Programme
(Philippines 2005b) provides for measures to enhance the social and vocational skills capabilities
of persons with disabilities, markets for products and services of cooperatives of persons with
disabilities and other organizations of persons with disabilities engaged in livelihood, accessible
work centers and capital for livelihood programmes.
ii. Sectoral disability-specific laws and regulations
The following is a list of relevant regulations which can be found on the website of the
National Council for Disability Affairs:
Table 1: Sectoral disability-specific laws and regulations in the Philippines
Regulations
Content
Self-Help Organizations of Persons with Disabilities
Executive Order No. 437, promoting the
The Order (Philippines 2005c) promotes
implementation of Community Basedthe implementation of community-based
Rehabilitation Programmes to empower self-help rehabilitation (CBR) for persons with disabilities
groups
in the Philippines.
[English] – [Tagalog]
Women with disabilities
..
Early Detection, Intervention and Education
White Cane Act, R.A. 6759, 1989
The White Cane Act (Philippines 1989) stipulates
[English] – [Tagalog]
that the first day of August each year is declared
and Implementing Rules and Regulations
“White Cane Safety Day”. Through promoting the
[English] – [Tagalog]
recognition and acceptance of the “white cane”
as a symbol of the need of blind persons for
specific assistance and as a reminder of the
individuals duty to care for and provide respect to
persons with disabilities.
Proclamation No. 71
Declaring the Third Week of January as “Autism
[English] – [Tagalog]
Consciousness Week”.
Proclamation No. 157
Declaring the Month of February as “National
[English] – [Tagalog]
Down Syndrome Consciousness Month”.
Proclamation No. 1385
Designating the Period from February 14 to 20,
[English] – [Tagalog]
1975, and Every Year Thereafter, as “Retarded
Proclamation No. 467
[English] – [Tagalog]
Proclamation No. 744
[English] – [Tagalog]
Proclamation No. 1870
[English] – [Tagalog]
Proclamation No. 361
[English] – [Tagalog]
Administrative Order No. 35
[English] – [Tagalog]
Republic Act No. 6759
[English] – [Tagalog]
Proclamation No. 92
[English] – [Tagalog]
Proclamation No. 230
[English] – [Tagalog]
Proclamation No. 588
[English] – [Tagalog]
Proclamation No. 452
[English] – [Tagalog]
Proclamation No. 658
[English] – [Tagalog]
Proclamation No. 472
[English] – [Tagalog]
Proclamation No. 110
[English] – [Tagalog]
Presidential Proclamation No.829
[English] – [Tagalog]
Proclamation No. 1157
[English] – [Tagalog]
Proclamation No. 657
[English] – [Tagalog]
Training and Employment
..
Children’s Week”.
Declaring the Last Week of February of Every
Year as “Leprosy Control Week”.
Declaring the Last Monday of March Every Year
as “Women with Disabilities Day”.
Declaring the Third Week of July Every Year as
the “National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week”.
Declaring the Third Week of July as the National
Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week
Which Shall Culminate on the Birth date of the
Sublime Paralytic: Apolinario Mabini on 23 July
Each Year.
Directing All Departments, Bureaus,
Government-Owned and/or Controlled
Corporations, Government Financial Institutions,
Local Government Units, State
Universities/Colleges and Schools, and Other
Government Agencies/Instrumentalities to
Promote and Conduct Relevant Activities during
the Annual Observance of the “National Disability
Prevention and Rehabilitation Week”.
Declaring August One of Each Year as “White
Cane Safety Day” in the Philippines and for other
purposes.
Declaring the Third Week of August of Every
Year as “Brain Attack Awareness Week”.
Declaring the First Week of September of Every
Year as “National Epilepsy Awareness Week”.
Declaring the Period from September 16 to 22,
2004 and Every Year Thereafter as “Cerebral
Palsy Awareness and Protection Week”.
Declaring the Second Week of October of Every
Year as “National Mental Health Week”.
Declaring the Third Week of October of Every
Year as “Bone and Joint (Musculo-Skeletal)
Awareness Week”.
Declaring the Third Week of October of Every
Year as “National Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder (AD/HD) Awareness Week”.
Declaring the Second Week of November of
Every Year as “National Skin Disease Detection
and Prevention Week”.
Declaring the Period from November 10-16 of
Every Year as “Deaf Awareness Week”.
Declaring December 3, 2005 and Every Year
Thereafter as “International Day of Persons with
Disabilities in the Philippines”.
Declaring the Year 2000-2010 as the “Bone and
Joint Decade”.
Access to Built Environment and Public Transportation
Accessibility Law 1982
The Accessibility Law (Batas Pambansa 344)
[English] – [Tagalog]
(Philippines 1982) aims to enhance the mobility
implementing rules and regulations
of persons with disabilities by requiring certain
[English] – [Tagalog]
buildings, institutions, establishments and public
utilities to install accessible facilities and other
devices, including transportation and
communication devices. Subsequent
amendments to the implementing rules and
regulations have provided for more severe
penalties in case of violations and new
accessibility requirements with regard to public
transportation.
Access to Information and Communication
..
Poverty Alleviation through Capacity-building,
Social Security and Sustainable Livelihood Programmes
..
Source: Philippines (2011). “Disability Laws” (National Council on Disability Affairs), accessed
from www.ncda.gov.ph/disability-laws on 28 July 2011.
c) Disability-inclusive laws and regulations

Magna Carta for Public Social Workers, 2007
[English] – [Tagalog]
Passed in 2007, Republic Act No. 9433 or Magna Carta for Public Social Workers aims to
“promote and improve the social and economic well-being of public social workers”. (Philippines
2007b, art. 1)
The Act comprises measures designed to improve living and working conditions, and terms of
employment as well as training and qualification of social development workers.
The Act provides for “protection from discrimination by reason of sex, sexual orientation, age,
political or religious beliefs, civil status, physical characteristics/disability, or ethnicity.” (Philippines
2007b, sect. 17)
3. Policies and plans
a) Disability-specific policies and plans
i. Comprehensive disability-specific policies and plans

National Plan of Action for the Philippine Decade of Persons with Disabilities,
2003-2012
[English] – [Tagalog]
The National Plan of Action for the Philippine Decade of Persons with Disabilities 2003 - 2012
provides the direction for programmes aimed at achieving an inclusive, barrier-free and rightsbased society for Filipinos with disabilities. The Plan follows the targets of the Biwako Millennium
Framework (Philippines 2007c).
ii. Sectoral disability-specific policies and plans
..
b) Disability-inclusive policies and plans

Medium Term Philippine Development Plan 2004-2010
[English] – [Tagalog]
The Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (Philippines 2004) outlines the Government’s
overall development policy for 2004-2010. Antipoverty measures revolve around five goals,
including the “protection of the vulnerable, i.e., the children, youth with special needs, women in
difficult circumstances, persons with disabilities, and the elderly."
Under Chapter 12 entitled “Responding to the Basic Needs of the Poor” persons with
disabilities are identified as among the vulnerable members of the society to be given preferential
access to social assistance, social protection and safety nets. The Plan provides a wide array of
measures to intensify advocacy and capacity building for the full implementation of disability laws
and policies.
4. Institutional framework and Government focal point

National Council on Disability Affairs
Placed under the authority of the Office of the President, the National Council on Disability
Affairs is the coordinating mechanism for Government policies and programmes related to
disability. As such, the Council is mandated to steer the course of programme development for
persons with disabilities and the delivery of services to the sector.
The Council can be contacted at the following:
National Council on Disability Affairs
Department of Social Welfare and Development
G/F SRA Building, North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Tel: + 63 2 9298879, + 63 2 9261165
Fax: + 63 2 9201503, + 63 2 9298879
Email: council@ncwdp.gov.ph
Website: www.ncda.gov.ph
5. Useful links
Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired
(ATRIEV)
http://www.atriev.org
United Architects of the Philippines (UPA)
http://www.united-architects.org
6. References
Philippines (1987). Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines accessed from
www.architectureboard.ph/1%20LAWS%20(&Regns)ON%20ARCH3/1987Constitution.pdf on 28
July 2011.
_______ (1991). Republic Act No. 7277, An Act Providing for the Rehabilitation, Self Development
and Self-Reliance of Disabled Persons and Their Integration into the Mainstream of Society and for
other Purposes (“Magna Carta for Disabled Persons”), accessed from www.ncda.gov.ph/disabilitylaws/republic-acts/republic-act-7277 on 28 July 2011.
_______ (2004). Medium Term Philippines Development Plan 2004-2010, accessed
from www.neda.gov.ph/ads/mtpdp/MTPDP2004-2010/PDF/MTPDP2004-2010.html on 28 July
2011.
_______ (2005a). “Persons with Disability Comprised 1.23 Per cent of the Total Population, A
Special Release Based on the Results of Census 2000”, 5 March (Philippines National Statistics
Office), accessed from www.census.gov.ph/data/sectordata/sr05150tx.html on 28 July 2011.
_______ (2005b). Implementation of the Economic Independence Programme for Persons with
Disabilities (Executive Order No. 417), accessed from www.ncda.gov.ph/disability-laws/executiveorders/executive-order-no-417 on 28 July 2011.
_______ (2007a). Republic Act No. 9442, An Act Amending Republic Act No. 7277, Otherwise
Known As The “Magna Carta For Disabled Persons, And For Other Purposes”, accessed
from www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2007/ra_9442_2007.html on 28 July 2011.
_______ (2007b). An Act Providing for a Magna Carta for Public Social Workers (Republic Act No.
9433 of 11 April 2007), accessed from www.ncda.gov.ph/disability-laws/republic-acts/republic-act9433 on 28 July 2011.
_______ (2007c). “Philippine Country Report”, paper presented to the High-Level
Intergovernmental Meeting on the Mid-Point Review of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled
Persons, Bangkok, Thailand, 19-21 September 2007, accessed from
www.worldenable.net/bmf5/paperphilippines.htm on 8 October 2010.
_______ (2009). “Disability Laws”, National Council on Disability Affairs, accessed
from http://www.ncda.gov.ph/disability-laws on 28 July 2011.
Last updated: 17 October 2011.