Pampanga Lawmaker Proposes Major Expansion of Disability Rights Through New Legislation
In a significant move to enhance support for vulnerable citizens, Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr., on January 26, 2026, formally introduced House Bill No. 7290. This proposed legislation seeks to substantially amend Republic Act No. 7277, widely recognized as the “Magna Carta for Persons with Disability,” by introducing a comprehensive package of new privileges and protections for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across the Philippines.
Legislative Priority for Vulnerable Sectors
Representative Lazatin emphasized the moral imperative behind the bill, invoking the words of former president Ramon Magsaysay: “those who have less in life should have more in law.” He stated, “As a legislator, I consider it paramount to prioritize bills benefitting vulnerable sectors.” This filing underscores a commitment to translating this principle into actionable legal frameworks that directly improve the quality of life for PWDs.
Key Provisions of House Bill No. 7290
The proposed amendments are multifaceted, targeting several critical areas of need:
- Free Assistive Technology: The bill mandates the provision of essential assistive devices and services at no cost. This includes wheelchairs, walkers, prostheses, hearing aids, aids for the visually impaired, and specialized computer software and hardware designed to increase mobility, hearing, vision, or communication capacities.
- Travel and Terminal Fee Exemptions: HB 7290 proposes to exempt PWDs from paying travel taxes, terminal fees, and other government-imposed charges at airports, ports, and similar terminals, reducing financial barriers to mobility.
- Employment Quotas and Incentives: The legislation sets clear employment targets. It requires at least three percent of positions in all government agencies, offices, or corporations to be reserved for qualified PWDs. For private corporations with a minimum of 100 employees, a reservation of at least two percent of all positions is mandated.
To encourage private sector compliance, the bill introduces substantial tax incentives. Private entities that employ PWDs equivalent to at least two percent of their total workforce will be entitled to an additional deduction from their gross income, equivalent to twenty-five percent of the total salaries and wages paid to PWD personnel. For those employing PWDs at a rate of seventy percent or more, the deduction increases to fifty percent.
Rationale and Expected Impact
Lazatin articulated the bill's core objectives, stating, “With proper facilities and assistive devices, the PWD members of our community will be able to live their lives with the dignity they deserve.” He further highlighted the socio-economic dimension, adding, “Providing better employment opportunities to PWDs in both the government and private sectors will help them participate in nation-building and enhance their independence.” The legislation is framed not just as a welfare measure, but as a strategy for inclusive economic participation and empowerment.
Track Record of Support in Angeles City
Drawing from his local governance experience, Lazatin referenced initiatives during his term as Mayor of Angeles City. The local government regularly distributed five kilograms of rice and P1,000 in cash to registered PWDs. Furthermore, in partnership with the non-government organization Red Pillars Foundation, he facilitated the distribution of food packages and P1,000 cash to 235 PWDs in Barangays Agapito Del Rosario and San Nicolas. The Red Pillars Foundation is headed by Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary for Right-of-Way and Site Acquisition IC Calaguas and Lazatin's Chief Political Affairs Officer, Reina Manuel.
This legislative effort by Representative Lazatin represents a proactive attempt to build on past local support programs, scaling them into national policy to create a more equitable and accessible society for all Filipinos with disabilities.
