QuestionsQuestions (PROCLAMATION NO. 1157)
It is done through Proclamation No. 1157, issued by the President of the Philippines on October 16, 2006, exercising powers vested by law.
December 3, 2006, and every year thereafter, is declared as the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities in the Philippines.”
The proclamation states that December 3 has been declared by the United Nations as the “International Day of Disabled Persons.”
It states that children, youth, adults, and women with disabilities comprise ten (10%) percent of the country’s population.
The proclamation emphasizes the need for priority attention and action, particularly in developing countries like the Philippines.
Both the public and private sectors are directed to synergize efforts and resources for promotion and improvement of the well-being of persons with disabilities.
The National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP) is the lead agency.
The Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC).
They are enjoined to maximize efforts to create a society that enables the full economic and social development of persons with disabilities, particularly the disadvantaged, and to support the observance annually in every way possible.
Education, health, sports, entertainment, employment, and other aspects of human development.
While the proclamation itself is not a statute, it serves as an executive policy directive encouraging implementation of programs and actions aimed at integration into mainstream society.
As a proclamation, it primarily declares and directs observance and coordination; it is generally policy-oriented and does not automatically create the same kind of rights and obligations as an act of Congress, unless tied to existing laws.
It is signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and countersigned by Eduardo R. Ermita, Executive Secretary—indicating it is an official presidential issuance.
NCWDP shall be the lead agency for all activities relative to the observance of the International Day.
Persons with disabilities broadly, particularly the disadvantaged, including children, youth, adults, and women with disabilities.
The DOH, DSWD, DILG, and NAPC are the partner agencies named in the proclamation.