ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 35 -
DIRECTING ALL DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS, GOVERNMENT-OWNED AND/OR CONTROLLED
CORPORATIONS, GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT
UNITS, STATE UNIVERSITIES/COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS, AND OTHER GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES/INSTRUMENTALITIES TO PROMOTE AND CONDUCT RELEVANT ACTIVITIES
DURING THE ANNUAL OBSERVANCE OF THE NATIONAL DISABILITY PREVENTION AND
REHABILITATION WEEK
WHEREAS, Proclamation No. 1870 was issued
on June 22, 1979 declaring the third week of July as the National
Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week to highlight the
nation's efforts towards disability prevention and rehabilitation
leading to the effective integration of persons with disabilities into
the mainstream of society as mandated under RA 7277 otherwise known as
the "Magna Carta for Disabled Persons;"
WHEREAS, Proclamation No. 361 was subsequently issued on August 19,
2000 resetting the dates of the annual observance of the National
Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week which culminates on the
birthdate of the sublime paralytic, Apolinario Mabini, on July 23 each
year;
WHEREAS, the National Commission Concerning Disabled Persons (NCCDP)
which was created by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1509 dated June
11, 1978, and became National Council for the Welfare of Disabled
Persons (NCWDP) by virtue of Executive Order No. 232 dated July 22,
1987, is mandated to serve as the central authority of the government
which will direct, coordinate, and integrate planning and management as
well as implementation of all activities, public and private,
pertaining to the welfare of persons with disabilities;
WHEREAS, it is in the national interest to stimulate public awareness
on all matters and issues involving persons with disabilities and
encourage every citizen to take active responsibility in uplifting
their economic and social conditions as well as recognizing the
abilities of our brethren with disabilities;
WHEREAS, these efforts require the re-affirmation of support by this
Government in partnership with non-government organizations working
for/of persons with disabilities hand-in-hand with concerned agencies,
as well as the private sector through the participation of the Filipino
citizenry;
WHEREAS, in celebrating the National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week, there is a need to institute tangible
programs to fully realize the objectives set forth in the aforecited
statutes;
WHEREAS, the activities or programs initiated to mark the celebration
of the milestones achieved for this marginalized sector will focus on
encouraging the person with disability sector in taking pro-active
roles in nation building.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby
order all heads of departments, bureaus, agencies, government-owned
and/or controlled corporations (GOCCs), government financial
institutions (GFIs), local government units (LGUs), state
universities/colleges and schools, and other government
agencies/instrumentalities to promote and conduct relevant activities
in the annual celebration of the National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week as follows:
Section 1. The National Council for the Welfare of
Disabled Persons (NCWDP) will spearhead the holding of a series of
activities involving government and private agencies to highlight the
nation's efforts towards disability prevention and rehabilitation
leading to the effective integration of persons with disabilities into
the mainstream of society.
Sec. 2. All departments, agencies, offices, GOCCs
and LGUs and other government agencies/instrumentalities as well as the
mass media and the entire citizenry are hereby required to extend their
whole-hearted support and cooperation by conducting specific programs
necessary to give effect to this order.
Sec. 3. All public and private welfare agencies
are hereby enjoined to participate and cooperate actively in
propagating the plight of persons with disabilities. Any financial
contributions and/or fund-raising shall be tax-exempt (which shall
include the sweepstakes draw, among others.)
Sec. 4. Funding. — Funds necessary to carry out
the provisions of this Administrative Order shall be sourced out by the
concerned agencies from the appropriation prescribed under Sec. 29
and 31 of the General Appropriations Act of 2002 starting this year.
Thereafter and in the ensuing celebrations, all concerned government
agencies shall allocate an amount equivalent to not less than 1% of
their total budget for the year as provided for under Sec. 29 &
31 of the 2002 General Appropriation Act.
Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. — All orders, issuances,
or parts thereof inconsistent with this Administrative Order are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 6. Effectivity. — This Administrative Order
shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila,
this 3rd day of May, in the year of Our Lord, two thousand and two.
|