The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is pushing for the strict implementation of the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities and similar laws that protect them from discrimination in public utility vehicles (PUVs).
DSWD spokesperson Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao said operators of PUVs as well as bus drivers and conductors should undergo orientation seminars on Republic Act 9442, which amended R.A. 7277 known as the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities.
“It’s about time that the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities become part of the refresher courses for bus drivers, conductors and even operators of PUVs so they can be better informed on the rights of commuters who have disabilities, whether apparent or non-apparent in the case of those with mental challenges or illness,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said on Thursday (July 10).
The DSWD spokesperson made the statement following the filing of charges by the family of the 25-year-old person with disability who was assaulted and teased inside a bus last June 9.
It was filed with assistance from the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The family of ‘Mak-Mak’ filed a child abuse complaint with the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office against six of his alleged assailants on Wednesday (July 9).
Among the respondents are the driver and conductor of the bus.
The complaint was for violation of Section 10(a) of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
The DSWD’s Field Office 3 -Central Luzon has earlier provided assistance to Mak-mak and his family who live in San Jose Del Monte City in Bulacan.
DSWD FO-3 social workers were the ones who went to the police station to report the incident of abuse which was written down on the police blotter.
“The DSWD will also provide livelihood assistance to the family of Mak-mak . We will also provide assistance for Mak-mak’s therapy as a person with disability that is non-apparent,” the DSWD spokesperson said.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao said bus drivers and their conductors should be made aware of the consequences for failing to protect persons with disabilities riding in their PUV.
“Those who are proven to have violated the provisions of the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities are looking at from six months to 2 years imprisonment plus a fine ranging from Php50,000 to Php200,000 depending on the gravity of the offense,” the DSWD spokesperson said.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the non-apparent form of disability such as those exhibited by Mak-Mak and lately, the case of Julian Tacbad who was ridiculed by several passengers on an LRT-Line 1 train when he tried to take his seat on the priority seat reserved for seniors, pregnant women and persons with disabilities.
Tacbad, whose eyesight has a grade of 1,150 qualifying him as a person with disability complete with an ID, wanted to take the reserved seat as he was feeling dizzy.
“There is also a need for a massive information drive to educate the commuting public that persons with disabilities who are non-apparent such as the case of Mak-mak and Julian. This will ensure that both the drivers and commuters will be aware of the disabilities that are not visible,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.#