New Davao City ordinance penalizes discrimination vs PWDs
DAVAO CITY – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) approved an ordinance penalizing the degradation, vilification, or public ridicule of Persons with Disability (PWD), with guilty parties facing penalties.
The ordinance, Comprehensive Persons with Disability Rights, Privileges, and Protection Ordinance of Davao City,” passed by the SP during Tuesday’s regular session, is awaiting final approval and signature by Mayor Sebastian Duterte.
Redendo Martinez, head of the city’s PDAO, said preparations are underway to form a Technical Working Group with disability representatives to develop rules for the PWD rights ordinance.
“We are very pleased that it has finally been passed, and we hope Mayor Duterte will sign it in time for National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Month in July,” Martinez, a lawyer, said in a statement Thursday.
The ordinance states that any person who engages in acts of public ridicule against PWDs shall face a fine of P1,000 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 or one month imprisonment or both at the court's discretion for the third and subsequent offenses.
Establishments violating the ordinance will be charged separately under Republic Act (RA) 7477, or The Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, and other related national laws.
The ordinance also stated that a person found in possession of any falsified PWD identification document shall also be penalized. (PNA)