The Department of Social Welfare and Development reminded business establishments to honor the discounts and other statutory privileges for persons with disabilities as mandated by Republic Act (RA) 10754, also known as An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability.
Asst. Secretary for International Affairs, and Attached and Supervised Agencies (IAASA) Elaine Fallarcuna told the DSWD Thursday Media Forum on July 4 there have been cases of non-compliance of business establishments being addressed by the Department, through its attached agency, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA).
“May mga recent hearings na naganap dahil sa (There were recent hearings conducted due to the) non-compliance of an organization or business,” Asst. Sec. Fallarcuna told reporters.
The DSWD official further warned: “Meron po sa batas na kapag may mga non-compliance, indicated naman po doon yung mga penalties na pwede nailing kaharapin kapag hindi sila nag-comply, specifically the 20 percent discount for persons with disability na on-top pa po ito sa VAT-exempt .”
(The penalties that can be faced if they do not comply are indicated in the law, specifically the 20 percent discount for persons with disability which is still on top of the VAT-exempt .)
Salient features of the law include the 20 percent discount and exemption from Value Added Tax (VAT) on the purchase of certain goods and services; reiteration of the rights of persons with disability to avail social insurance; educational assistance; special discounts in the purchase of basic necessities and prime commodities; and express lanes in all commercial and government establishments.
Violators of the law may face a fine ranging from Php50,000 to Php200,000 or imprisonment of six months up to six years.
Upon receiving a valid complaint and following due notice and hearing, proper authorities may also revoke the business permit, franchise, or similar privileges of any entity that violates the law.
Filing of complaints
Persons with disability or any concerned citizen may also file a complaint to the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in the local government that has jurisdiction over the establishment or the residence of the complainant.
If the complaint is initially brought to a national government agency such as the DSWD or the NCDA, the said agency will refer the complaint to the concerned PDAO or concerned local social welfare and development office (LSWDO), whichever is applicable in the area.
For persons with disability who are also DSWD program beneficiaries, the agency has its new online grievance redress mechanism called the Integrated Grievance Redress Management System (IGRMS).
“Yung Integrated Grievance Redress Management System ay nag-fafacilitate ng mas efficient na monitoring and management ng mga resolution of complaints ng ating mga beneficiaries patungkol na sa mga programa ng DSWD. Ito ay mayroong online submission and we have integrated this with other programs of the Department gaya ng Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), ng social pension, so anything about the programs, about the Department na concern, pwede nilang ipadala online, para mas ma-monitor natin yung kanilang submission ng complaints,” Asst. Sec for External Assistance and Development Juan Carlo Marquez explained.
(The Integrated Grievance Redress Management System facilitates more efficient monitoring and management of the resolution of complaints from our beneficiaries regarding DSWD programs. It includes online submission, and we have integrated this with other programs of the Department such as Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and Social Pension. So, anything about the programs or concerns about the Department can be sent online, allowing us to better monitor the submission of complaints.)
The public may access the IGRMS through https://i-grs.dswd.gov.ph/. #
