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Local Participatory Diagnosis, June 2013 Published by Handicap International - Philippines Program under its project Rebuilding Economies after Typhoon Ketsana and Strengthening Baras Municipality Utilities for an Inclusive Local Development (REBUILD). Cover photo: Local Participatory Diagnosis conducted in Barangay Pinugay showing Barangay Disabled Peoples Organizations workshop on persons with disabilities situation in the barangay. Compilation done by REBUILD Project Team Mary Grace Baban Ronald Genise Kahlille Jolly Seranilla Joecelyn Panlilio

With contributions from Handicap International staff Satish Mishra Hugues Nouvellet Diosdado Mendoza Gilbert Guevarra Edward Ello

And partners Theresita Salome G. Lloren - Tahanang Walang Hagdanan

Editing Florentina Urag Layout Jun Daryl Zamora

Handicap International - Philippines Program, 2013 This publication is the property of Handicap International. It has been produced with the financial assistance of the Swiss Solidarity and the European Union. The views expressed herein should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of the Swiss Solidarity and the European Union. For more information and to download a copy of this publication please visit www.handicapinternational.ph

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ABOUT HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL

Handicap International is an independent and impartial international aid organization working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Working alongside persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups throughout the world, our action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and their fundamental rights. With a network of eight national associations (USA, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the UK), Handicap International, founded in 1982 and co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 and recipient of the Hilton Humanitarian Prize in 2011, has programs in 60 countries and acts in both emergency and development situations. Handicap International in the Philippines has been operational since 1985 and is one of the key organizations in the disability sector in the country. It has a wide range of complimentary projects which assists to promote inclusion of persons with disabilities and their issues in development policies and actions, build capacities of key local stakeholders and reduce the impact of natural disasters and conflicts. Handicap International in the Philippines is committed to enhance persons with disabilities access to services, promote their active participation and social inclusion, developing partnerships at all levels, in the frame of the national and international policies on disability. Rebuilding Economies after Typhoon Ketsana and Strengthening Baras Municipality Utilities for an Inclusive Local Development (REBUILD) is a threeyear inclusive livelihood and rights-based project with an objective to improve access of persons with disabilities to different developmental (livelihood, social, etc.) opportunities. To complement this effort, the project will build the capacity of local stakeholders to enable them to implement programs and activities that are more inclusive of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. In addition, the project will build capacity of Baras Disabled Peoples Organization so that it becomes a significant and active local development stakeholder that will promote and advance the needs and rights of persons with disabilities in development initiatives. The project aims to contribute in developing an inclusive society with equal opportunities for all.

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

BAPDCBR BDC BDPO BFDPO BHW BFPWDAI BLGU CHED CSO CBR DBM DSWD DEPED DILG DOH DPO EIDHR EO FGD GAD HI ILISAMKAP LPD LRTA MSWDO MLGU MLGO NHA PDAO SEC SPED PWD I/NGO NSCB NSO PDAO RA REBUILD TESDA TWH

Baras Association of Persons with Disabilities and their Families CBR Inc. Barangay Development Council Barangay Based Disabled Peoples Organization Baras Federation of Disabled Peoples Organization Barangay Health Workers Baras Federation of Persons with Disabilities Association, Incorporated Barangay Local Government Unit Commission on Higher Education Civil Society Organization Community Based Rehabilitation Department of Budget and Management Department of Social Welfare and Development Department of Education Department of Interior and Local Government Department of Health Disabled Peoples Organization European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights Executive Order Focus Group Discussion Gender and Development Handicap International Ilaw ng Lipunan Samahan ng may Kapansanan Local Participatory Diagnosis Light Rail Transit Association Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office Municipal Local Government Unit Municipal Local Government Office National Housing Authority Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office Securities and Exchange Commission Special Education Persons with Disabilities International Non-Government Organization National Statistical Coordination Board National Statistics Office Person with Disability Affairs Office Republic Act Rebuilding Economies after Typhoon Ketsana and Strengthening the Baras Municipality Utilities for an Inclusive Local Development Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Tahanang Walang Hagdanan

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Abbreviations --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- iv Executive Summary ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Understanding Disability from a Global and National Perspective ----------------------- 3 Local Participatory Diagnosis: Creating a Venue for Dialogue towards Disability Inclusion in Local Development ------------------------------------------- 6 A. Mapping of Local Stakeholders in Barangays Pinugay, San Jose and San Juan ------------------------------------------------------- 7 1. Persons with Disabilities 2. Disabled Peoples Organization 3. The Local Governance Structure B. Prospects of Disability Inclusion in Local Development -------------------------- 17 Conclusions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 Recommendations ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The REBUILD Project is a three-year inclusive livelihood and right-based project. The project aims to increase access of persons with disabilities to livelihood opportunities while capacitating local stakeholders in implementing programs and activities that are more inclusive and promote access to services. This engagement also hopes to empower the Baras Disabled Peoples Organization to become a significant and active local development stakeholder that will ensure that the needs and rights of people with disabilities are taken into account in development and disaster risks management initiatives. Furthermore, the Project will contribute towards consolidating the initiatives undertaken in the aftermath of emergency resulting from Typhoon Ketsana, focusing specific livelihood and social supports on the three (3) selected barangays in Baras namely, San Jose, Pinugay and San Juan, where the most needs have been identified, including those of the displaced families presently living in the relocation sites.

To contribute towards the inclusion of disability in local development initiatives, Handicap International REBUILD Project Team conducted a local participatory diagnosis in each of the three (3) barangays. Local Participatory Diagnosis (LPD) is a tool for local assessment of the participation and fulfilment of rights among persons with disabilities. As conceptualized, LPD aims to improve knowledge of local disability issues such as their living conditions and barriers that hinder them from accessing services, exercising their rights and participating in local development processes; enhance working relations and dialogue of people with disabilities and LGUs at the community level and; strengthen the capacities of the officers of the federation of Disabled Peoples Organizations (DPO) by involving them in diagnostic activities that increase their awareness of their own capability to give support to barangay DPO.

A total of 49 representatives from the various stakeholders and service providers that include the barangay-based DPOs, the federation of DPOs, barangay local government units, municipal local government unit, assisting NGOs and the local population participated in the Local Participatory Diagnosis.

An overview of the disability situation from the global to the national and barangay level was presented highlighting the urgency of the issue and the need for wider participation of major stakeholders to address the disability issue and collectively work towards its inclusion in local development. The orientation on Local Participatory Diagnosis as a tool for assessing the extent of participation of persons with disabilities in local development was also discussed.

Mapping workshop was conducted which helped generate information on the number and location of persons with disabilities in each of the three barangays. Simultaneous focus group discussions with persons with disabilities comprising one group and barangay officials comprising another group helped elicit information on the challenges faced by persons with disabilities and existing governance structure and programs in the barangays which can provide opportunities for inclusion and the level of consolidation of barangay-based DPOs and the Baras Federation of Disabled Peoples Organization.

Through the LPD, local stakeholders arrived at a common understanding of disability which helped facilitate the identification of persons with disabilities in the three barangays. A total of 266 persons with disabilities, including their locations, were identified. Participating persons with disabilities shared experiences on barriers that hinder their full participation at home and in the community. Among those cited were the lack of access to social services and opportunities for upward mobility, lack of representation in local governance structure and perception of disability as charity hence limiting the participation of persons with disabilities as recipients or beneficiaries of government programs and services and not as partners in local development.

Through the LPD, the stakeholders became aware of the policies and programs that seek to advance the interests of persons with disabilities and their specific roles and responsibilities related to these. More importantly, the LPD succeeded in bringing together the major stakeholders in the disability issue, a major step in commencing the inclusion process for disability.

UNDERSTANDING DISABILITY FROM A GLOBAL AND NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

A. Disability Situation Globally According to the World Health Organization (2011), approximately 15% of the worlds population, or more than a billion people, have a disability and about 80% of the population with disability lives in developing countries. Moreover, about 350 million persons with disabilities have no access to services or assistance. Common causes of disability were hereditary, congenital, measles, natural disasters, malnutrition and congenital deformity, inadequate housing, lack of care during pregnancy, traffic, work, sports and home accidents, illiteracy, war / terrorism, poor sanitation and hygiene, polio, respiratory diseases, marriage between close relatives, metabolic diseases (Diabetes Mellitus) and drugs, alcohol and tobacco. B. Disability Situation in the Philippines 1. Prevalence of Disability According to the World Bank Disabled People and Development Philippine Census Report of 2005, one (1) out of every 4 Filipinos is affected by disability and 7 out of every 10 Filipino persons with disabilities live in rural areas. The same report noted that persons with disabilities are more likely to be unemployed. Disability is more common among women, elderly, and households that are poor, and many Filipino women with disabilities have less opportunities of participation in development and community life. Access to education is a major issue with only two (2) out of every 100 Filipino children with disabilities allowed to go to school. Aside from education, only 1 out of every 10 Filipino persons with disabilities is given access to programs and services.
Table 1. Prevalence of Disability in the Philippines Total no. of persons with disabilities Disability by sex (male) Disability by sex (female) Disability Prevalence 942, 098 473,332 (50.3%) 468,766 (49.7%) 1.2%

Source: Word Disability Report (2011) and Philippine CBR Philippine CBR Manual: An Inclusive Development Strategy (2009)

2. Disability Situation in Baras

Table 2. Prevalence of Disability in Baras

Barangay

Population

Disability Prevalence (WHO ratio of 15%) 1109 539 495 2,1432

No. of Persons with Disabilities per Barangay1 100 41 19 160

Pinugay San Juan San Jose Total

7,396 3,242 3,008 13,646

Using the NSO data, the population distribution and disability prevalences per barangay according to WHO projection is shown in Table 2. The highest population was registered in Barangay Pinugay. It should be noted however that there may be inaccuracies as to the population of Brgy. Pinugay, due to the boundary disputes with Antipolo, Tanay and Morong municipalities. In the year 2000 census, reports reached the Office of the Mayor indicating that some residents of Brgy. Pinugay were registered with other municipalities (e.g. Antipolo) which claim to have territorial jurisdiction over major portions of Pinugay. This table confirmed the fact that there is no reliable data as to the numbers and factual means of verification on the precise number of persons with disability in each barangay. The data below is from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) and shows the number of people with disabilities in three target barangays as of 2012. However, this number is not reliable and insignificant, because majority from the list have already either migrated to other areas or died. Based on their records, there are 105 persons with disabilities in the three barangays.

Done during the initial identification of person with disability undertaken by Barangay Health workers and membership recruitment of BFPWDAI 2 Figure reduced to whole number 4

Table 3. Types of Disability in Baras

Type of Disability Intellectual Mental Physical Sensory For further assessment Total Number 13 1 49 40 2 105

3. Causes of Disability The top causes of disability in the country according to the World Bank Disabled People and Development Philippine Census Report of 2005 were malnutrition, unsanitary living conditions, poor pre-natal care, unstable peace and order situation and vehicular and occupational accidents. 4. Challenges and barriers faced by the sector of persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers Charity model depiction of disability a. Negative perception of persons with disabilities b. Inaccessible services for persons with disabilities c. Lack of capacities of Disabled Peoples Organizations (DPO) to represent persons with disabilities d. Weak enforcement and monitoring of national policies and laws (Magna Carta of Persons with Disabilities RA 7277, Accessibility Law) which are supposed to protect the rights of persons with disabilities e. Limited awareness on disability among public officials, project implementers, service providers and stakeholders in development f. Limited / no impact of CBR Program as mandated in the EO3 437 g. Lack of access to public buildings, lack of health programs and services, and lack of rehabilitation services at the local level h. Overemphasis on their disability rather than their ability i. Livelihood, employment, discrimination, etc.

Executive Order (EO) 437 or CBR programme that encourages the local government units (LGU) to adopt CBR as a means of delivering services to their constituents with disabilities and to allocate funds to support the programme. EO is an act of the President providing for rules of a general or permanent character in implementation and execution of constitutional or statutory powers as defined in the Administrative Code of 1987. 5

LOCAL PARTICIPATORY DIAGNOSIS: CREATING A VENUE FOR DIALOGUE TOWARDS DISABILITY INCLUSION IN LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

Local participatory diagnosis was conducted in the three barangays in Baras namely, Pinugay (May 10, 2013), San Jose (November 28, 2012) and San Juan (May 22, 2013). Participants include representatives from barangay-based Disabled Peoples Organization, Baras Federation of Disabled Peoples Organizations and barangay officials of the respective barangays. Table 4 shows the number of participants per stakeholder.
Table 4. Distribution of Representatives per Stakeholder

Barangay Pinugay San Jose San Juan Total

BDPO 5 7 11

BFDPO 2 5 0

BLGU 5 6 4

MLGU 1 0 o

GP* 0 0 3

Total 13 18 18 49 *General Public

The Local Participatory Diagnosis was conducted to map out persons with disabilities in the three barangays, identify the challenges they faced in their immediate social environment (i.e. family and community), provide a clear picture of the barangay governance structure, and assess the level of organization, functionality and competence of the barangay-based DPOs and the Baras Federation of Barangay Disabled Peoples Organizations and more importantly identify ways and means to ensure integration of social participation of persons with disabilities in the local planning process. A mapping workshop and focus group discussions among stakeholders were conducted to generate this information. As a result, the LPD helped produce an inventory or mapping of persons with disabilities in the three barangays, as well as an understanding of the local political/administrative structures that could provide venues for disability inclusion. This also helped determine how the various communities are organised (and whether these organisations are active or not), identify resource persons, and mobilize the main actors. The LPD focused on three (3) major areas from which information about disability issues were gathered, namely: Households whose members include persons with disabilities The organization to which they felt they belong The support of community/stakeholders with whom they are involved and have participated
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The data generated from the LPD of the three areas serves as the basis for intervention in strengthening the barangay-based DPO and the DPO federation itself. It also helped identify areas for intervention in the barangay governance structure and point for cooperation between the DPOs and the barangay officials.

MAPPING OF LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS IN THE THREE BARANGAYS

1. Persons with Disabilities in the Three Barangays a. Location and Distribution Based on the information generated from the mapping workshop conducted with the members of disabled peoples organizations in the three barangays, there are 226 persons with disabilities residing in the said barangays.
Table 5. Distribution of Persons with Disabilities among the Three Barangays Disability4 Orthopedic Speech Visual Hearing Learning Chronic Mental Psychosocial Multiple TOTAL Pinugay 49 15 11 5 14 21 7 0 16 138 San Jose 6 3 5 1 3 0 0 1 19 San Juan 17 2 9 11 4 15 3 0 8 69 TOTAL 66 17 20 16 18 36 10 0 24 226

Physical impairments in 66 people comprised majority of the disabilities identified in the three barangays. This is followed by sensory disabilities (visual, speech and hearing impairments) with 53 people. The number of household members having chronic disability is also significant with 36 individuals. This information can be used in determining the nature of assistance appropriate to the situation of the persons with disabilities.

Classification of disability according to DOH Guidelines (2009) 7

Table 6. Ratio of Persons with Disabilities with the Barangay Population No. of Persons with Disabilities 138 19 69

Barangay Pinugay San Jose San Juan

Population 7,396 3,008 3,242

Percentage 1.86% 0.63% 2.12%

In Barangay Pinugay, there were 138 persons with disabilities or 61% of the total mapped number of Persons with Disabilities. This represents 2% of the 7,396 total population of Barangay Pinugay. Most of the persons with disabilities in Barangay Pinugay can be found in Southville, a relocation site with approximately 2,800 households directly affected by Typhoon Ketsana last 2009. Table 6 shows the distribution of persons with disabilities in the 10 sitios of the barangay.

Map 1. Mapping of People with Disabilities in the Project Areas

Barangay PINUGAY 138 Persons with Disabilities

Barangay SAN JOSE 19 Persons with Disabilities

Barangay SAN JUAN 69 Persons with Disabilities

Source: Office of the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator. Baras, Rizal

Table 7. Disability Situation in Barangay Pinugay

Areas Painaan Pader Southville San Roque Habitat Batangasa n Corazon de Jesus Cinco Radar Milestone TOTAL
Orthopedic5 Speec h Visua l Hearing Learning Chronic Mental Psychosocial Multiple TOTAL

1 2 32 1 1 3 1 6 2 49

1 6 1 4 8 1 3 1 1 13

1 18 3 1 16

3 5 97 2 4 10 1

3 2 15 11 5 1 14 2 21 7 0 16

9 2 5 138

In Barangay San Jose, there are 19 persons with disabilities or 8% of the total number of persons with disabilities reported in the three barangays. This is also 0.6% of the total population of Barangay San Jose.
Table 8. Disability Situation in Barangay San Jose

Areas

Orthopedic6

Speec h

Visual

Hearing

Learning

Chronic

Mental

Psychosocial

Multiple

TOTAL

Calumpang Labac Mambog Tuazon Cervantes Manila East Sumipit St GK Melchor Trabajo St. Total

3 1 1 2 1 1 3

3 1

1 1 1 1 1 5 0 1 3 1

7 1 1 2 3 1 2 1 1 19

In Barangay San Juan, mapping of persons with disabilities covered the five (5) sitios. Members of the DPO of the barangay reported that there are 69 persons with disabilities in their barangay. This is 2% of the population which is 3,242.

5 6

Classification of disability according to DOH Guidelines (2009) Classification of disability according to DOH Guidelines (2009) 10

Table 9. Disability Situation in Barangay San Juan

Areas Orthopedic
7

Speec h

Visual

Hearing

Learning

Chronic

Mental

Psychosocial

Multiple

TOTAL

Rumaguit Malalim Poblacion Haligionan Ibabaw TOTAL

6 5 4 1 1 17

5 2 1 3 9

1 4 2 1 3 11

1 2 1 4

2 1 9 2 1 15

2 4 2 8

14 15 24 5 11 69

The availability of information on persons with disabilities in the three barangays will help the barangay-based DPOs reach out to them and encourage them to participate in the organizations activities such as study sessions on their rights as persons with disabilities, leadership training sessions and advocacy work on inclusion at the local government units. Their participation in the organization and in community affairs will hopefully bring about significant change in the publics perception of disability and inform and educate local governance bodies how they can be integrated in local development planning processes. b. Challenges Faced by Persons with Disability in their Immediate Social Environment: The Household and the Community i. Challenges at Home At home, persons with disabilities encounter many and varied difficulties depending on their impairment. In Barangay San Jose, particular experiences shared by the participants refer to difficulties in taking a bath, cooking, cleaning the house, etc. In Barangay San Juan, persons with physical impairment caused by stroke have difficulties in doing personal hygiene such as taking a bath and changing clothes. Oftentimes they rely on someone to assist them in doing these things. Mobility inside the home becomes a problem for visually impaired individuals in Barangay San Juan when furniture are rearranged causing unfamiliarity and confusion with their environment. Some family members also find difficulties in understanding persons with disabilities due to lack of communication skills for both parties -- the persons with disabilities themselves and their families. Persons with speech and hearing impairments are unable to express their needs and ideas to their immediate families. In like manner, families of persons with speech and hearing impairments cannot effectively communicate with them hence limiting their participation in decision making especially those that directly affect them.

Classification of disability according to DOH Guidelines (2009) 11

ii. Social Inclusion Problems Persons with disabilities from the three barangays share a common experience of social discrimination. They suffer from numerous forms of prejudices within their own communities. While some were not done on purpose, others have publicly humiliated them, referring to them by their impairment rather than by their names (e.g. blind, amputated legs, deaf, etc.). Persons with impairments oftentimes are aloof in mingling with other people outside the house because of low self-esteem, a feeling of rejection and discrimination. They refuse to go outside for fear of being bullied by their neighbors. Even children with disabilities are not spared and have also experienced maltreatment in school and discrimination by their school teachers and even by their classmates. iii. Lack of Access to Social Services Lack of access to social services is a major concern raised by most of the persons with disabilities who attended the LPD. Education

In Barangay San Juan, physically impaired children experienced difficulties in going to school due to distance and lack of assistive devices for their mobility. Most of the time they rely on someone to carry them to school. The same sentiment was echoed by persons with disabilities from Barangay Pinugay, further adding that in one sitio alone, 4 out of 10 children with impairment are unable to go to school. The persons with disabilities would be happy if a special education (SPED) class is set up. Special education is instruction that is specially designed to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. This means education that is individually developed to address a specific childs needs that result from his or her disability. Health

Another common concern raised by the participants is the lack of access to health services. In Barangay San Juan, the barangay provides health services to the general public such as immunization, feeding program, OPLAN patak, and medicines. At times, they would conduct medical missions in cooperation with other government units such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) but these were not enough to address the health needs of the population, especially those of the persons with disabilities. Parents complained that there is also lack of information on how to prevent disability in the family particularly disabilities that are congenital in origin.

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Access to Water Supply

In Barangay Pinugay, water supply is located in remote distance making it far more difficult for persons with disabilities to fetch water for their personal use. Although their family members can do this for them, more often than not they are forced to do this on their own, as family members are preoccupied with earning income for the family. Livelihood opportunities

There is also lack of opportunities for persons with disabilities to be involved in income generating activities such as self-employment and waged employment. Because majority of them have not been able to complete their secondary education, they have limited options for employment. In some cases, however, although many of them have skills that they can utilize to earn an income for the family, they do not have enough capital to start a business or there is limited opportunities for employment. The long list of loan requirements by micro-finance institutions (MFI) in their barangays also prevents them from availing of assistance from the latter. iv. Exclusion in Local Development Participation of persons with disabilities in local development has been affected because of the discrimination they received in their community and even from government agencies. Participation in Local Development Processes

Persons with disabilities in the three barangays lamented the fact that they were not represented in the Barangay Development Council or in any of its special bodies, which could have provided venue to articulate issues and concerns faced by the sector and commence dialogue along this line. The Barangay Development Council is mandated to mobilize peoples participation in local development efforts. Among the mechanism s set up to ensure peoples participation is the creation of special bodies such as the local health board, local school board, local peace and order council, local pre-qualification, bids, and awards committee and other optional bodies (local environmental council, local tourism council). Unfortunately, persons with disabilities or their organizations were not represented in any of these bodies. Hence, they were not involved in the planning nor were they consulted in the decision-making process of the council or of any of its special bodies.

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Inclusion in Disaster Risk Reduction Program

Likewise, persons with disabilities from Barangay San Jose complained that during disaster situation, vulnerable groups were usually left to fend for themselves since there is no contingency plan of the community. Relocation areas offered are not accessible to wheelchair users and persons with visual impairment. This reflects more of segregation rather than ensuring their safety during calamities. In Barangay Pinugay, the situation of persons with disabilities during disasters is better compared to other barangays since there is a contingency plan for disaster preparedness. Rescue operations during emergency actively engage the participation of the whole community to ensure their safety. However, there is a need to improve the participation of persons with disabilities in crafting the contingency plan to ensure that persons with disabilities receive the same support and services accorded to other persons during these situations. Budget Allocation for Persons with Disabilities

In Barangay San Jose and Barangay Pinugay, the Barangay Development Council has allocated funds to barangay-based disabled peoples organization. The allocated fund was sourced from the gender and development budget, which represents 1% of the 10%, GAD budget. However, there are no proper guidelines and monitoring of the utilization of the said funds. 2. The Baras Federation of Persons with Disability Association, Inc. and the Barangay Disabled Peoples Organizations. The Baras Federated DPO started last 2007 when the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) commenced documentation of persons with disabilities in each of the ten (10) barangays in Baras. The following year, the Barangay Chairman appointed a focal person of persons with disabilities in each barangay. Since then, the MSWDO has been assisting these individuals in setting up their own organization. In January 2009, the focal persons or heads of the barangay DPOs decided to form a federation of barangay DPOs within the municipality. Two other organizations joined the federation of DPOs from the ten barangays, namely, the Baras Association of Persons with Disabilities and their families CBR Inc. (BAPDCBR) and Ilaw ng Lipunan Samahan ng may Kapansanan (ILISAMKAP). In August 2010, Angelito Donaldo Boy Roxas became the new president of the federation after being elected by barangaybased DPO representatives. Two years later, the federation was officially registered in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on December 27, 2012 as the Baras Federation of Persons with Disabilities Associations, Inc. (BFPWDAI) with SEC registration number CN2012233579. Since then, they became actively involved in various activities in the
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municipality. Still, the DPO needs to significantly improve their capacity to advocate their cause, issues and concerns at the barangay level. Currently, seven (7) out of the 10 barangay-based DPOs are inactive and no meeting and documentation was done for the last two years. The reasons for this are: a) officers in the barangay-based DPOs had already migrated to other places, b) some had passed away, and c) others were transferred to senior citizens organization where they are able to claim privileges and incentives for senior citizens from local authorities and business establishments. Of the three focused barangays, only Barangay San Jose and Barangay Pinugay have existing Disabled Peoples Organizations (DPO). The DPO in Barangay Pinugay is active. Through the REBUILD project, several meetings and home visitations to DPO federation officers were undertaken and conducted. Social investigation made by the project team helped to clearly analyse the present situation of the federation. The process of integration of REBUILD project and social investigation activity led the team to introduce organizational development mechanisms to support in strengthening the organization, through specific organizational capacity development such as enhancing the capacities of officers, strengthening its operational structure, revitalizing barangay-based DPOs and development of rights-based approach to advocacy. 2.1 Barangay DPOs In Barangay San Juan, there is no functional DPO organization that will advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities and help improve their social involvement in governance. Thus, the allocated budget of 0.5% equivalent to Php 17,000 from Barangay Development Fund for persons with disabilities was not spent effectively for their needs. Although it is mandatory for the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) to seek project proposal activities from the organization prior to the release of funds, this requirement was not met due to the absence of active DPO in the barangay Meanwhile, although the DPO in Barangay San Jose is represented in the municipal federation, the barangay-based DPO itself is inactive. In Barangay Pinugay, the organization is active. In fact, they have intensified their recruitment process which account for the significant documentation of many persons with disabilities in the barangay. The organization has been doing its mission of improving the lives of its members. Through its facilitation, its members were able to access services (i.e. medical referral, cataract screening, provision of assistive devices, scholarship, medical mission and skills development training) from government agencies such as the MLGU, DepEd, and National Housing Authority, and non-government organizations such as the Tahanang Walang Hagdanan. Still, the organization does not have knowledge if the BLGU has allocated funds for persons with disabilities.

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Generally, it is important that DPOs actively engage in advocacy work to ensure that the rights and interest of persons with disabilities are taken into account in the local development initiatives, i.e. planning, implementation and advocacy. 3. The Local Governance Body The local structure of governance offers opportunities for integration of disability issues in the program and projects of the barangays. However, barangay officials admitted that inclusion of disability issues in local development is an area that they need to address. A shift in barangay officials perspective on disability may have to be worked out in order to facilitate the inclusion process. The perception that disability activities are mainly the responsibility of the Committee on Health, Sanitation and Social Services suggests the charity model perception of disability. Nonetheless, their open admission of their limitation in this aspect is already a significant step in the advocacy of the persons with disabilities right for inclusion. More so, their commitment to improve their services to persons with disabilities and openness to collaborate with the DPOs in generating more accurate information on the number and condition of persons with disabilities within their barangays could provide basis for developing appropriate programs and services.

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PROSPECTS FOR DISABILITY INCLUSION IN LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

Laws Mandating Inclusion of Disability in Local Development As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), the Philippine Government made sure that these treaties were translated into national policies to promote and advance the welfare of persons with disabilities. The following were among the key policies and administrative orders put in place by the national government: 1. Republic Act (R.A.) 7277 Magna Carta for Disabled Persons R.A. 7277 is an act providing for the rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance of disabled persons and their integration into the mainstream of society and for other purposes. The act also elaborates on: Rights and privileges of disabled persons Equal opportunity for employment Access to quality education National Health Program Auxiliary Social Services Telecommunications Accessibility (barrier-free environment) Political and civil rights

2. Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 otherwise known as Accessibility Law An act providing for the enhancement of the mobility of disabled persons by requiring certain buildings, institutions, establishments, and other public utilities to install facilities and other devices. The act covers all public and private buildings and related structures for public use, which shall be constructed, repaired or renovated; streets and highways and public utilities; streets and highways; public transport vehicles; public telephones and public transport terminals including those of LRTA. 3. EO 240 Declaring the Period from Year 2003 to 2012 as the Philippine Decade of Persons with Disabilities Non-government organizations and self-help groups among persons with disabilities, as well as other organizations are hereby enjoined to take full cognizance of the National Plan of Action for the Decade of Persons with Disabilities and to fully cooperate in the attainment of its goals and activities by gearing their policies and aligning their programs to said National Plan
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4. EO 417 Directing the Implementation of the Economic Independence for Persons with Disabilities (Series of 2005) All national government agencies including government owned and controlled corporations are enjoined to support and cooperate in the implementation of the Economic Independence Program for Persons with Disabilities. DSWD shall develop and implement the national social preparation program that will deal on moral values and work ethics of entrepreneurs with disabilities DepEd/CHED/TESDA shall continually develop a system of equivalency to ensure access of persons with disabilities to employment and entrepreneurship CDA shall develop and implement programs to promote coop organizing and development among persons with disabilities

5. EO 417 Economic Independence Program Markets for products and services of cooperatives of persons with disabilities and other organizations of persons with disabilities engaged in livelihood. Accessible work center Capital for livelihood programs

6. Joint DBM-DSWD Circular No. 2003-01 Provides for the implementing guidelines for Section 29 of the General Appropriations Act for FY 2003 Entitled Setting Aside 1% of Government Agency Budget for Programs/ Projects Related to Senior Citizens and the Disabled such as: IEC campaign/advocacy Human Resource Development and Capability Building Provision of Employment Opportunities Protection and Safety Program Group Home / Foster Home Policy Development / Legislations Researches Other Programs/Projects/Activities/Services related to their respective mandates 7. The General Assembly of the League of Cities of the Philippines and National Directorate of Municipalities of the Philippines passed Resolution No. 2003-13 and Resolution No. 011-2001 respectively, encouraging cities and municipalities to establish the OPDA with the following mandate:
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Monitoring of compliance with Accessibility Law Implementation of the provision of the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons Establishment of data gathering for statistics of persons with disabilities Formulation and implementation of plans, programs and policies related to the promotion of the welfare of persons with disabilities in coordination with concerned national government agencies. Establishment of production and livelihood sheltered workshops for persons with disabilities

8. In September 2010, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jessie Robredo issued a memorandum to all local government units reiterating a provision of the revised Magna Carta for persons with disabilities to create a Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) or for poorer towns, appoint at least a persons with disability focal person.

CONCLUSIONS

Traditionally, persons with disabilities are not included in local development initiatives due to the common perceptions that persons with disabilities do not have sufficient capacities to effect positive change in the development of their community. In many cases, even in the implementation of local disability laws (i.e. RA 7277, RA 10070), persons with disabilities are not involved and are most often on the receiving end of services as beneficiaries instead of being partner in the implementation. There should be conscious and organized effort to contribute towards changing this scenario. Therefore, an inclusive local development approach is necessary to collaborate with the Local Government Unit. At the onset, the Local Participatory Diagnosis conducted in the three barangays succeeded in bringing together the main players in the inclusion process at the barangay level: the barangay officials and the DPOs representing the persons with disabilities. By allowing the persons with disabilities to express their concerns with regard to their situation, i.e. the challenges they faced at home and in the community, the barangay officials became aware of their vulnerability, while at the same time recognizing the positive role they can play in the progress of the community. The dialogue between the two groups is a good starting point to ventilate issues and concerns of both parties and to identify points for further dialogue and cooperation. On the part of the DPOs, the LPD made them aware of the venues where they can be involved and how they can approach advocacy work at the barangay level. With laws and policy instruments in place, from the international to the local level, the challenge is how to make these policies work for the persons with disabilities.
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RECOMMENDATIONS

Finally, the Local Participatory Diagnosis serves as a tool to assess the level of participation of persons with disabilities in the barangay development processes. This includes identifying and addressing barriers for accessing services (private and public) at the barangay level and municipal level, thus transforming the community into one that is more inclusive of persons with disabilities. The following are the set of recommendation/steps to improve the relationship of the three stakeholders in local development: A. Barangay/Municipal Local Government Unit Strengthening of the local governance structures to include: Representation of persons with disabilities in the Barangay Development Council or any of its special bodies (e.g. local health board, etc.) Adoption of local ordinance in support of disability programs Fund allocation and utilization specific to the needs of persons with disabilities in the barangay Barangay LGU must take into account the economic opportunities of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in their program development planning and implementation Genuine participation of persons with disabilities in local development planning. Disability development planning should be conducted together with the barangay officials and major stakeholders, with the DPO taking the lead in the planning process. The disability development planning will help identify and address the barriers to the full participation of persons with disabilities in local development planning and promote collective and multi-sectoral actions at the barangay level. This experience will hopefully inform the municipal federation of DPOs on how to lobby the issues and concerns of barangay DPOs at the municipal level and consequently strengthen the municipal federation of DPOs. Build and strengthen links with Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) as a strategy for inclusive local development To support the above initiative, partnership with the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office should be adopted as one of the strategies to advance the rights of persons with disabilities at the barangay or municipal level. PDAO plays coordination function with local government officials to promote
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disability inclusive policies and allocation of budget in annual investment plan. However, PDAO should work with DPO and recognise their role as self-advocates and watchdog on the rights of persons with disabilities. B. Disabled Peoples Organization (Barangay DPO/Municipal Federation) Reorganize, capacitate and strengthen the barangay disabled peoples organization and the municipal federation of disabled peoples organization towards advocating for inclusion in local development processes. There must be a strong organization to represent their sector in the barangay special bodies like Barangay Development Council, Barangay Council for the Protection of Children, Barangay Women Council and similar bodies at the municipal level. Through their representation in these bodies, they can influence policies and decisions to address their needs and aspirations as a sector. Identification of persons with disabilities in the area by barangay-based DPO The process of identification of issues, problems and formulation of disability development plans must ensure participation of persons with disabilities and must be worked out at the household level. This will ensure greater participation of people in the barangay and generation of reliable information on persons with disabilities in the barangay and the municipality. This can be done in coordination with Barangay Health Workers and the Municipal Health Office. Provision of training on community organizing, leadership formation, organizational development, project proposal writing and other skills training appropriate to the needs of the organization to help strengthen the DPOs There should be a regular activity for feedbacking and knowledge sharing among leaders and members of DPOs. Awareness raising among the general public, the barangay LGU and other stakeholders to address the barriers faced by persons with disabilities and their families must be conscious and purposive and directed towards the upliftment of their individual and group situation. Improve the LPD processes to optimize its potential for inclusive local development. Secondary data and other source documents such as annual investment plan, barangay annual plan and other pertinent documents should be made available during the LPD.

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C. Service Providers The role of the service providers and other stakeholders also need to be accounted for to ensure that disability inclusive services are made available to persons with disabilities. Adoption of twin-track approach so that services offered by service providers are sensitive to the needs of the sector. With this, service providers/stakeholders shift their services from segregated approach to inclusive ones.

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If you need further information or technical support, please contact:

Handicap International - Philippines Program 12D The Valero Tower, 122 Valero St. (accessible entrance at 122 San Agustin St.) Salcedo Village, Makati City 1227 Tel: +63 (2) 812 6990, +63(0) 915 332 8690 Fax: +63 (2) 892 4583 mla-office@handicapinternational.ph Project Site Office: Solem Building, 212 JP Rizal St. Barangay Santiago Baras, Province of Rizal Tel: +63 (02) 234-5404

For more information and to download a copy of this publication please visit www.handicapinternational.ph

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