A GROUP of persons with disabilities (PWDs) is seeking the establishment of an independent office with a separate governing body where they can meet and plan projects for their own sector.
The move was backed by the Cagayan de Oro City City Council which passed ordinance No. 2016-37 aiming 'to establish the Cagayan de Oro City Persons with Disability Affairs Office (CDOC-PDAO) in accordance with Section 40 of Republic Act 7277, otherwise known as Magna Carta for Persons with Disability'.
City Councilor Teodulfo Lao Jr., however, moved to defer the matter saying that the PWDs already has an existing office under the City Social Welfare and Development Office.
Lao said the PWDs could not be separated from the Department of Social Welfare and Development office, citing a section from the Magna Carta stating that the Persons with Disabilities office (PDAO) is a local counterpart of DSWD.
"Why would we create another office when we have already one, do we want to really complicate things? And besides, if we would want to create another office, the Magna Carta said the office's composition will involve a Project Development Head with a salary worth P60,000. Did we consult this if we have enough budget for this?” Lao asked.
Lao said there should be a consultation among the involved department offices since a budget will be needed to realize this plan.
The City Council agreed with Lao and deferred the matter in one week for consultations.
Rolando Damaolao, chairman of Cagayan de Oro City Council on Disability Affairs (CDOCCDA), said although the proposed ordinance was deferred, his group remains optimistic that the ordinance will be approved.
"Sakto raman pud ilang gibuhat na ikonsulta sa ang among sugyot kay nag-involve man kini ug budget, ug kami hopeful man gihapon na aprobahan," Damaolao said.
"Gusto gayud mi ug naay office sa PDAO because with this, naay sense of empowerment na within our level, makahimo mi ug mga action plan para sa among sektor, ug daghan pa gyud kaayo mi plano ug i-address nga issues para sa mga PWDs dinhi sa dakbayan," Damaolao added.
In the meantime, the City Council approved instead Ordinance No. 2016-38 which grants PWDs free admission in all movie houses in the city.
