‘Let’s help make PWDs live with dignity instead of being dependent on generosity of their kin’

Buhay party-list Rep. Irwin Tieng is batting for greater independence for persons with disabilities even as he laments that many PWDs today remain confined in their homes, greatly dependent on the help and generosity of their relatives.

“The best help we can give PWDs is to make them live with dignity; able to live by themselves, earn for their needs and contribute to nation-building,’’ said Tieng who has made the concerns of the PWDs his official and personal advocacy.

For his efforts, a Finland-based PWD and human rights group—Threshold Association (TA)—has bestowed on Tieng the title of “Champion” in pursuing the implementation of the provisions of the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Among others, the CRPD calls for enactment of legislative measures to remove discrimination against PWDs and to promote, protect and ensure that PWDs enjoy full and equal human rights.

Lawyer Riku Virtanen, vice president of the Threshold Association—an independent living and human rights advocacy group—called on governments all over the world to formulate “programs and promote independence for PWDs.”

“We should help them curve their inner dignity to have an independent, productive and normal life,” Virtanen said during ceremonies bestowing Tieng the title champion for PWD concerns. Virtanen, a lawyer, is deaf and blind.

In receiving the title, Tieng said he decided to take on the concerns of the PWDs because PWDs are close to his heart and helping them is in line with Buhay’s mandate to take care of people “from womb to tomb.”

He asked people , especially commercial establishments and government offices, to provide employment or teach skills to PWDs to help them stand up on their feet.

Tieng has filed the following bills to promote the rights of the disabled: (1) House Bill No. 4217 which provides for copyright exemption for the visually-impaired, and (2) HB No. 6305 or ATM Visually-Impaired Friendly Act.

One of his proposed measures was signed into law, now RA 9504, which increases the personal exemption of taxpayers with PWD dependents from P8,000 to P25,000. –Charlie V. Manalo, Daily Tribune