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Also, the matters contained in the following were written in accordance with the law, rules, and jurisprudence prevailing at the time of writing and posting, and do not include any future developments on the subject matter under discussion.
AT A GLANCE
- Every third week of January is Autism Consciousness Week, as declared by then-President Fidel V. Ramos through Proclamation No. 711, series of 1996.
Aiming to develop awareness of the circumstance of persons with autism and to promote a supportive environment among communities and recognizing the increasing number of Filipinos diagnosed with such condition, then-President Fidel V. Ramos issued Proclamation No. 711 series of 1996, declaring every third week of January as National Autism Consciousness Week.
The law says:
“NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare January 15 to 21, 1996 and every third week of January thereafter as “Autism Consciousness Week”. For this purpose, the Department of Health, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Interior and Local Government will jointly serve as the national focal point for the commemoration of this event. These agencies will take the lead in initiating activities that will increase awareness on autism and its effects, as well as its early identification. To ensure immediate intervention, the participation and cooperation of non-government organizations and the private sector will be secured.” (Proclamation No. 711, series of 1996)
Republic Act No. 7277 or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, as amended by Republic Act No. 9442, provides for an inclusive definition of the term ‘persons with disability’.
Section 4, paragraph (a) of the law says:
“[Persons with disability] are those suffering from restriction of different abilities, as a result of a mental, physical or sensory impairment, to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being.” (Section 4, par. a, R.A. No. 7277, as amended by R.A. No. 9442)
The term ‘disability’ shall mean (1) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more psychological, physiological or anatomical function of an individual or activities of such individual; (2) a record of such an impairment; or (3) being regarded as having such an impairment (Section 4, par. c, R.A. No. 7277)
Further, the law says:
“SECTION 5. Equal Opportunity for Employment. – No [persons with disability] shall be denied access to opportunities for suitable employment. A qualified [persons with disability] shall be subject to the same terms and conditions of employment and the same compensation, privileges, benefits, fringe benefits, incentives or allowances as a qualified able-bodied person. Five percent (5%) of all casual, emergency and contractual positions in the Department of Social Welfare and Development; Health; Education, Culture and Sports; and other government agencies, offices or corporations engaged in social development shall be reserved for [persons with disability].” (Section 5, par. a, R.A. No. 7277, as amended by R.A. No. 9442)
Related article: National Cancer Consciousness Week
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