Laws Governing Disabilites

Executive Order No. 417
MALACAÑANG Manila

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 417

     DIRECTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWDs)

      WHEREAS, it is a policy of the State under the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines to protect the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and promote their welfare and development;

      WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, also affirms and mandates the rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance, and integration of PWDs into the mainstream society;

      WHEREAS, the General Appropriations Act explicitly provides funding mechanisms for programs and projects of PWDs and their organizations from at least one percent (1%) of the total yearly budget of all National Government Agencies and instrumentalities including Government Financial Institutions and Government owned and controlled corporations;

      WHEREAS, Proclamation No. 240 on the Philippine Decade of Disabled Persons 2003-2012 further instructs all Heads of Departments, Chiefs of Bureaus, Offices, Agencies and Instrumentalities of the National Government, Local Government Units to implement plans, programs and activities geared towards the development of PWDs;

      WHEREAS, the National Anti-Poverty Action Program and the Administration’s 10-Point Legacy Agenda target the delivery of services to and the development of the marginalized basic sectors, such as PWDs;

      NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

      SECTION 1. Implementation of the Economic Independence Program for Persons with Disabilities – All national government agencies including government owned and controlled corporations are enjoined to support and cooperate in the implementation of the Economic Independence Program for PWDs