ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR (PIA) – The provincial Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) has denounced insensitive online contents that disrespects and demeans persons with disabilities (PWD).
PDAO Head Miriam Acosta-Llanos voiced her concerns through a social media post, urging content creators to treat the PWD sector with respect.
“I’m begging you now, please consider the feelings of persons with disabilities (PWDs), their families, and friends. The content you posted was extremely hurtful and cut us deeply,” she posted.
Some of the content creators responsible for the offensive material were identified as being from Pagadian City and Zamboanga del Norte. One particular content involved an individual pretending to have a disability to avoid being recognized when dealing with lending institutions.
“Padayon mi sa pakigbatok niini kay bisan naa sila sa layo nag content, ang epekto sa ilahang video naabot gihapon sa matag cellphone [users] nga taga ZamboSur. I am obliged to protect the members of the sector which i vowed to serve,” said Acosta-Llanos.
(We continue to fight against this, because even though they are far away creating content, the impact of their video still reaches every cellphone [users] in Zamboanga del Sur. I am obliged to protect the members of the sector I vowed to serve.)
She stressed that such content violates ethical standards, fosters discrimination, and perpetuates stigma against PWDs. According to Acosta-Llanos, those responsible for the offensive posts have been identified, apologized, and removed their content.
PDAO is ramping up its initiatives to counter this trend by advocating for more responsible social media use. Llanos stressed the importance of creating a digital environment that upholds the dignity and rights of all individuals, especially PWDs, and called on the public to report discriminatory content.
In line with Republic Act No. 9442, also known as the amended Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, public ridicule and vilification against PWDs are strictly prohibited.
Under this law, acts of public ridicule include making fun of a person’s disability, mockery in public gatherings or media, and using disabilities as a source of humor or embarrassment. Vilification, meanwhile, covers slanderous and abusive statements that humiliate or incite hatred toward PWDs.
By amplifying the call to end insensitive content and advocating for a more respectful digital space, Acosta-Llanos and the PDAO-ZamboSur aim to ensure that PWDs are treated with the dignity and respect they rightfully deserve. (EDT/HTB/PIA9 Zamboanga del Sur with reports from PWD News Corner)
