ANTIQUE – The Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) here has called on persons with disabilities (PWDs) to register with their respective Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) so they could avail themselves of government benefits such as automatic membership to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
“Kon maka-register atun mga persons with disability makabaton diya sanda kang mga nagakalain-lain nga mga serbisyo kag mga programa related sa PWD sector,” said Edison Sta. Romana, assistant PDA officer.
Among these services and programs are auxiliary services, assistive devices and capacity-building workshops, he said.
Sta. Romana is also encouraging PWDs to register with the Philippine Registry for Persons with Disability (PRPWD) of the Department of Health (DOH) in order to receive free PhilHealth coverage from the government.
Per Republic Act 11228, or the “An Act Providing For The Mandatory Philhealth Coverage For All Persons With Disability (PWDs)”, premium contributions are paid by the national government while premium contributions in the formal economy are shared equally by the respective employers and the national government.
It was revealed during the fourth quarterly meeting of the Provincial Council on Disability Affairs last Oct. 12 that 8,456 PWDs are registered at the PRPWD while 14,739 are still unregistered.
Meanwhile, the PDAO is working towards splitting their office from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) rather than remain as the latter’s sub-office.
Sta. Romana said that PDAO will better cater the needs of Antiqueño PWDs as an independent office with its own budget.
“Actually, kadya kay ginakulang kita sa budget. Ang ginahimo lang natun, kon sin-o anay sa mga type of disability or sector ka PWD nga need gid ka intervention nga mas kinahanglan gid, hay amo ra ang problematic nga sector kang PWD, amo ra ang ginataw-an natun ka budget”, he said.
With its own budget, PDAO can strengthen their programs such as capacity building, leadership, auxiliary services, advocacy and empowerment, livelihood, employment, and inclusive education, Sta. Romana said. (With a report from Antique PIO)/PN
