Educational Assistance for PWDs
- PWDs are entitled to educational assistance to pursue various levels of education, including primary, secondary, tertiary, post-tertiary, vocational, or technical education.
- Assistance may include scholarships, grants, financial aids, subsidies, and other incentives.
- Support for educational necessities such as books, learning materials, and uniforms is provided when feasible.
- PWD beneficiaries must meet the minimum admission requirements of educational institutions.
Continuity of Benefits from Government Agencies
- To the extent practicable, PWDs shall continue to enjoy benefits and privileges from government agencies such as GSIS, SSS, and Pag-IBIG similar to those in active service.
Special Discounts on Basic Commodities
- The government may, subject to feasibility, grant special discounts on basic commodities for PWDs.
- Such discounts shall be governed by guidelines issued by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Provision of Express Lanes and Priority Service
- All commercial and government establishments must provide express lanes exclusively for PWDs.
- In the absence of express lanes, PWDs shall be given priority service.
Incentives for Caregivers of PWDs
- Individuals caring for and living with PWDs who are within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, not gainfully employed, and chiefly dependent, are recognized as dependents for tax purposes.
- Taxpayers caring for such PWD dependents are entitled to benefits accorded under Section 35(b) of the National Internal Revenue Code, including dependent-related privileges.
Implementation and Rulemaking
- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Finance (DOF), and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations.
- Failure to promulgate such rules does not delay the law’s effectivity.
Separability Clause
- If any provision is declared invalid or unconstitutional, such invalidity does not affect other provisions which shall remain in full force and effect.
Repealing Clause
- All laws, orders, decrees, rules, regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two newspapers of general circulation.