House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima has filed a bill seeking to establish a National Commission on Disability Affairs, a move aimed at strengthening the government’s capacity to deliver services and protect the rights of Persons with Disabilities across the country.
Through House Bill 8829, de Lima is pushing for a commission that would take charge of nationwide policies, programs, and services for the PWD sector. The bill would expand the government’s role from policy direction to direct implementation, targeting long-standing gaps in access to healthcare, education, employment, and essential support.
“Despite the efforts of the NCDA and the numerous laws aimed at improving the welfare of PWDs in the country, the reality remains that many Filipinos with disabilities still do not have adequate access to basic needs, such as healthcare, education, employment, and proper interventions required for their disabilities,” said de Lima.
She said the proposed commission would be equipped with stronger capacity and resources to lead implementation and ensure programs reach communities. “Through the establishment of a Commission with stronger capacity and adequate resources to lead and monitor the implementation of programs and policies on disability, identify the needs of the sector, and effectively address them, we will be better equipped to improve the welfare of the country’s PWD sector,” she added.
The proposed commission would lead the National Registration Program for Persons with Disabilities through the Philippine Statistics Authority to build a comprehensive database for policymaking, strengthening how the government identifies and responds to sector needs.
It would also function as the government’s main research arm on disability concerns and serve as the central repository of data, guiding policy decisions and program delivery across national and local levels. The body would oversee assessments at the provincial, city, and municipal levels to ensure services are aligned with actual conditions on the ground.
The bill would also establish a Disability Support Fund to finance rehabilitation, disability services, and community-based programs implemented by local government units and civil society groups, strengthening support systems where they are most needed.
