MANILA, Philippines – Nanawagan ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) para sa mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng mga batas na nagpoprotekta sa mga taong may kapansanan (PWDs) laban sa pang-aabuso at diskriminasyon, partikular sa mga public utility vehicles (PUVs).
Ito ay kasunod ng insidente noong Hunyo 9 na kinasasangkutan ng isang 25-anyos na PWD, na kinilala bilang “Mak-Mak,” na iniulat na sinaktan at kinutya sa loob ng bus. Nagsampa ng kaso ang kanyang pamilya sa tulong ng Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Sinabi ni DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao na kailangang turuan ang mga PUV drivers, conductors, at operators sa Republic Act 9442, na nag-amyenda sa Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities.
“It’s about time that the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities become part of the refresher courses for bus drivers, conductors and even operators of PUVs so they can be better informed on the rights of commuters who have disabilities, whether apparent or non-apparent in the case of those with mental challenges or illness,” ayon kay Dumlao.
Nauna nang nagpaabot ng tulong ang Field Office 3 (Central Luzon) ng DSWD sa pamilya ng biktima sa San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan.
“The DSWD will also provide livelihood assistance to the family of Mak-mak. We will also provide assistance for Mak-mak’s therapy as a person with disability that is non-apparent,” dagdag ni Dumlao.
Pinaalalahanan niya ang mga PUV operator at tauhan nito ng legal na kahihinatnan ng hindi pagprotekta sa mga pasaherong PWD.
“Those who are proven to have violated the provisions of the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities are looking at from six months to two years imprisonment plus a fine ranging from Php50,000 to Php200,000 depending on the gravity of the offense,” aniya. RNT/MND
