VARIOUS organizations of people with disabilities praised senatorial candidate Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez for championing the milestone law exempting 1.5-million PWDs from the payment of 12-percent value added tax on certain goods and services.
At a thanksgiving event in Quezon City Wednesday night, PWD groups Tahanang Walang Hagdanan Inc., Alyansa ng may Kapansanang (Akap) Pinoy, National Council of Disability Affairs Pilipinos With Disabilities party-list, the Bureau of Learning Resources of the Department of Education lauded the “malasakit” Romualdez displayed in pushing the passage of Republic Act 10754.
President Benigno Aquino III signed RA 10754 into law on March 23.
“The approval into law of Congressman Romualdez’s malasakit measure was a milestone achievement in the protection and promotion of PWD sector’s rights,” TWH president Manuel Agaoili said in a press conference.
“We commend the great attention given to us by Congressman Romualdez in expanding the benefits and privileges of PWDs. This is a genuine malasakit to us,” said TWH officer and sectoral representative Jocelyn Garcia.
Lawyer Jessica Magbanua, board secretary of Akap Pinoy, said the law will be a gateway for the passage of more measures in Congress to further uphold the rights of PWDs in the country. “The enactment of this measure was made possible through the initiative and malasakit of Congressman Romualdez.”
NCDA official Carmen Zubiaga acknowledged Romualdez’s efforts in championing their sector and said his act should be emulated by his colleagues.
“His [Romualdez] malasakit act is very laudable. The measure he worked for us will truly protect our rights and interest as members of PWD sector,” Zubiaga said.
“The contribution of Congressman Romualdez’s malasakit is indeed meaningful in championing our cause. We are hoping that his hard work will make other lawmakers to be more actively engaged in helping us,” said Michael Barredo, first nominee of Pilipinos with Disabilities party-list group.
AKAP-Pinoy president Captain Oscar Taleon described Romualdez as “a true leader who has malasakit for the marginalized sector.” His outstanding work is very laudable.”
Lauro Purcil of the DepEd Bureau of Learning Resources and Dr. Carmen Fabrigas of the Tacloban City government said Romualdez has championed the rights of the PWD sector with his advocacy and dedication to serve them, alongside safeguarding their welfare.
Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), thanked President Aquino and his colleagues in Congress for their compassion to push for the approval of the measure.
“It is my hope that with malasakit in the forefront of our lives, Filipinos will adopt a mindset that empowers the disabled and other vulnerable sectors of society instead of looking at them as incapable or treating them a burden,” Romualdez said.
“We laud this effort to show compassion by giving them benefits for PWDs who are in desperate need of support from the government. I am thankful for the outpouring of support for this bill, which is very close to my heart for personal reason,” Romualdez added.
Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), said the VAT exemption coverage of the law shall apply on the following: medical and dental services; purchase of medicines in all drugstores; public railways, skyways and bus fare; admission fees charged by theaters, cinema houses, concert halls, circuses, carnivals and other places of culture, leisure and amusement; and all services in hotels and similar lodging establishments, restaurants, and recreation centers.
The PWD law would also allow the relatives, up to the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, taking care of handicapped measures to claim a tax deduction of P25,000 in their income tax.
The law added funeral services and burial expenses to the list of assistance to be given to PWDs.