DILG official calls for creation of PWD affairs office in Dumaguete

By Rachelle M. Nessia

DUMAGUETE CITY, July 18 (PIA) -- The chief of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Dumaguete City is pushing for the creation of a Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in the city. 

Felix Ablir, City Local Government Operations Officer of DILG in Dumaguete City said the creation of PDAOs in towns and cities is mandated by Republic Act No. 10070 which states that PDAOs shall be organized and established in every province, city and municipality. 

The PDAO will help in the formulation and implementation of policies, plans and programs for the promotion of the welfare of PWDs in coordination with concerned national and local government agencies. 

DILG has also issued a memorandum to governors and mayors providing guidelines for the creation of a persons with disability (PWDs) affairs office to operationalize RA No. 10070, Ablir added. 

Dumaguete City was not able to set up a PDAO after the city government’s internal revenue allotment (IRA) was reduced by around P38 million following the creation of new cities nationwide, said Ablir. 

“In this case, it would be appropriate for the mayor’s office to designate an officer-in-charge for PDAO who will coordinate with the PWDs organizations,” said Ablir in a forum held to mark the 34th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week. 

The DILG memo states that in consideration of budget restraints, local chief executives of fourth, fifth, and sixth class municipalities may designate a person in charge, who shall perform the functions of the PDAO. 

RA No. 10070 or an “Act Establishing an Institutional Mechanism to ensure the Implementation of Programs and Services for Persons with Disabilities” amends Section 40 of RA No. 7277 or the “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.” (RMN-PIA7 Negros Oriental)