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Evelyn DolencioThere are but two local government units which has established a Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in Region Eight, revealed Regional Programs Coordinator for Visayas and Mindanao, Evelyn Dolencio, of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) during her recent visit to Tacloban.

As of this time, Borongan City and Hilongos in Leyte were identified during the meeting of the Regional Council on Disability Affairs (RCDA) with a PDAO, while the City Government of Tacloban is now working for it. Said Ben Calzado, the focal person for the PWD program of the DSWD Field Office Eight, Tacloban has been very supportive towards the betterment of the lives of said sector.

Calzado added that to carry out the objective of setting up a PDAO in a locality, an ordinance is needed to be enacted by the local government unit.

Republic Act 10070 calls for the establishment of an institutional mechanism to ensure the implementation of programs and services for persons with disabilities in every province, city and municipalities. Under the law, the local government units are mandated to organize and establish a Persons with Disability Affairs office (PDAO) in every province, city, and municipality, with the local chief executive appointing a Persons with Disabilities (PWD) affairs officer to head and man the office.

DSWD Field Office Eight Director Leticia Diokno pointed out that a PDAO is necessary as this office will be responsible in formulating and implementing policies, plans and programs for the promotions of PWDs in coordination with concerned national and local government agencies, coordinate the implementation of the provisions of such laws as the Accessibility Law or Republic Act 344 and Republic Act 10070.

She added that the PDAO will also be a big help in promoting the welfare of PWDs as they will represent in meetings of local development councils and other special committees, such that they will have a voice in development planning.

“If there is a PDAO, the PWD sector will not be left behind, Diokno emphasized.