Posted by Zacarian Sarao – 3 hours ago
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Bongbong R. Marcos Jr. has declared July 17 to 23 as National Disability Rights Week.
In Proclamation No. 597 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on June 13, President Marcos directed the Department of Social Welfare and Development, through the National Council on Disability Affairs, to oversee the National Disability Rights Week.
The council was also tasked with identifying programs, activities and projects for the celebrations.
President Marcos also directed all government agencies and institutions, including government-owned or controlled corporations, state universities, and junior colleges, to hold celebrations.
All local governments, non-governmental organisations and the private sector were encouraged to abide by similar rules.
According to a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office on Wednesday, the move is part of the government’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
Marcos said the Philippines was committed to achieving the objectives of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities and to promote respect for the inherent dignity of persons with disabilities.
In signing the law, President Marcos also noted the need to amend Proclamations 1870 and 361 “to bring them into line with the objectives of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and to promote a rights-based approach to National Disability Rights Week.”
Proclamation No. 1870 (s. 1979) declared the third week of July as National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week, and Proclamation No. 361 (s. 2000) proclaimed July 23 as the last day of NDPR Week, commemorating the birth anniversary of Apolinario Mabini.
The newly signed proclamation states that “Proclamations No. 1870 (1979) and No. 361 (2000) are repealed together with all other issuances, orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with Proclamation No. 597.”