The Department of the Interior and Local Government directed local government units to prioritize persons with disability in the distribution of relief goods.
DILG Sec. Eduardo M. Año said that PWDs even before the enhanced community quarantine are marginalized and are all the more in need to be given attention to amid the coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
In Memorandum Circular 2020-066, governors are enjoined to ensure that city and municipal mayors shall include PWDs in the list of beneficiaries and indicate the recipients’ disability.
The enlistment is to be done by barangay workers. Barangay captains will then submit their lists to their mayors who shall then submit to governors. The latter will submit the data to the DILG for consolidation of reports.
Further, all LGUs, particularly barangays, shall ensure that PWDs are able to access adequate food and take into consideration their nutritional requirement as provided by law.
They should also allow the use of the barangay vehicle for PWDs under emergency situation. Municipal and city governments shall support the barangay immediately during such urgent situation should the barangay request for support.
“Pagbabayanihan ang makakaahon sa atin mula sa krisis na dulot ng Covid-19. Provincial, city, and municipal governments together with their barangays can protect their constituents from this pandemic by cooperating with each other. Tigil-politika muna, buhay ng mamamayan muna,” Año said.
The circular was issued by the DILG following reports received by the Commission on Human Rights from the PWD sector about their growing concerns amidst the Covid-19 situation in the country.
The DILG reminded LGUs to give more consideration to children with disability, pregnant women with disability, and senior citizens with disability. – DILG release
