Press Release
August 2, 2019

Senate moves to reorganize National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA)

The Senate is pushing for the reorganization of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) to better address the needs and concerns of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Senate Bill No. 108, or the proposed National Commission on Disability Affairs Act, seeks to reorganize the National Council on Disability Affairs into a National Commission on Disability Affairs and institutionalize the agency's mandate of addressing the needs and concerns of our PWDs.

"This bill is envisioned to better equip the Commission in data collection, needs identification and policy formulation for the benefit of PWDs from all over the country," Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, who introduced the measure, said.

"With the proper support and assistance, we believe that they can be integrated and empowered to be productive citizens of this nation," Zubiri said. "As one of the happiest people in the world we should strive to help our PWDs to lead meaningful and happy lives to the fullest extent possible," he added.

Results of the National Disability Prevalence Survey (NDPS) showed that in 2016, around 12 percent of Filipinos aged 15 and older experienced severe disability. Almost one in every two (47%) experienced moderate disability while 23 percent experienced mild disability. Almost one-fifth (19%) experienced no disability. In this survey, the disability prevalence rate corresponds to the percentage of persons with severe disability.

Under the proposed measure, the commission shall be the national government agency to formulate policies and coordinate activities of all agencies, whether public or private, concerning disability issues and concerns.

It shall also be the lead agency tasked to steer the course of program development for persons with disabilities and the delivery of services to the sector.

Representatives from government agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall sit as members of the Commission, together with representatives from the private sector.

The Commission shall also have Regional Directors for every region who shall oversee and supervise activities of the Persons with Disability Affairs Office established by the local government units (LGUs).

Created in 1981, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) is the lead government agency tasked with program development for PWDs and the delivery of services to the sector.

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