BAGUIO CITY (PIA) –Persons with disabilities (PWDs) and those whose medical conditions lead to disabilities are encouraged to register with the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO).
Baguio City PDAO head Dr. Samuel Aquino cited the importance of registering with PDAO such as getting a PWD identification card which they can present to avail of benefits like the 20 percent discount on sale of certain goods and services.
He stated that by registering and getting a PWD ID, they are protecting themselves.
“It is also a way for PDAO to help them as mandated by the laws of the government,” he said.
Aquino shared that there are still a lot of families with family members who have disabilities that are not coming out or are family members who have disability at home.
Aquino also encouraged those with family members that have medical conditions that have led to disability to do the same thing.
The documents needed to register are a medical certificate to prove their conditions; barangay residency or any government-issued ID with their residency, and an updated 1×1 ID picture.
Aquino also briefly discussed the benefits of PWDs. The government mandated benefits of the PWDs are, but not limited to, a 20% discount on all private hospitals and medical facilities and a monthly allowance.
The Social Security System and the Government Service Insurance System have a program wherein parents of a disabled child should register their child under them for them to benefit from their lifetime pension.
“Sana wag nating gamitin ang ating kapansanan as excuse na hindi sumunod sa saligang batas or hindrance na kamtin ang pangarap natin bilang taong may kapansanan. Kaya po bilang your Disabilities Affairs Officer of the city, I am urging you to engage, participate…so that no one is left behind,” he stated.
PDAO initiated the celebration of Down Syndrome Consciousness Month with a program on Feb. 21, 2025. Down syndrome is included in the mental disability category of PWDs. [JDP/DEG/Janine Laureta-PIA-SLU Intern]
