OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
Malacanang Palace, Manila

EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 232

PROVIDING FOR THE STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL REORGANIZATION OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE WELFARE OF DISABLED PERSONS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, the national government recognizes its responsibility to provide disabled persons with the fullest measure of protection and assistance to help develop their abilities in all fields of endeavor and to promote their integration into the mainstream of society, as well as its primary duty for the prevention of disabilities;

WHEREAS, the national government is also cognizant to the limitations of the existing system for delivery of services to persons with disabilities and the need to extend the ranges of disability prevention and rehabilitation services;

WHEREAS, there is an increasing awareness in the government and private sector on the problems of disability and of their joint responsibility to be involved in the national effort to seek solutions to the problems;

WHEREAS, the, national leadership notes, with great concern that in the pursuit of this responsibility, there has been proliferation of activities and programs for the welfare of persons with disabilities by government agencies and private organizations, and that for lack of central direction and coordination, there is widespread overlapping and duplication of efforts thereby resulting in the wastage of scarce resources and professional services and impairing the achievement of definite goals;

WHEREAS, the National Commission Concerning Disabled Persons was created on 11 June 1978 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1509 as amended;

WHEREAS, the National Commission Concerning Disabled Persons was replaced by the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons by virtue of Executive Order No. 123 dated 30 January 1987;

WHEREAS, the structure and functional reorganization of the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons is deemed necessary for effective and efficient delivery of services to persons with disabilities;

WHEREAS, the structure and functional reorganization of the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons is deemed necessary for effective and efficient delivery of services to persons with disabilities;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the power vested in me by the sovereign will of the Filipino people and the Constitution, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Title. This Executive Order shall otherwise be known as the Reorganization Act of the former National Commission Concerning Disabled Persons (NCCDP) now known as the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP) as provided for under Executive Order No. 123 and attached to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. The State’s paramount concern for the welfare of the disabled persons as embodied in several provisions of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines is hereby affirmed.

SECTION 3. Objectives of the Council. The National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons hereinafter referred to as the “Council” shall have the following objectives:

1. To develop an integrated and comprehensive long-term National Plan for the prevention of disabilities,
rehabilitation, full participation and equalization of opportunities of disabled persons.

2. To provide and maintain necessary steps to ensure the rights and benefits of disabled persons at all levels to
achieve fuller participation and equalization of opportunities.

3. To advocate new policies and legislations or amendments relating to disability prevention, rehabilitation, full
participation and equalization of opportunities.

4. To act as a consultative forum, advisory and coordinating body to rationalize the functions and activities of
agencies involved in disability prevention, rehabilitation, full participation and equalization of opportunities of
disabled persons.

5. To establish, maintain and expand contact with national and international organizations concerned with persons with
disabilities, and to keep abreast with international standards and the latest developments in disability prevention,
rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities.

6. To raise the level of public awareness on disability prevention, rehabilitation, full participation and equalization
of opportunities of disabled persons through systematic information program.

7. To develop and maintain a data banking and referral system on disability prevention, rehabilitation, full
participation and equalization of opportunities.

SECTION 4. Powers and Functions of the Council. The Council shall have the following powers and functions:

1. Formulate policies on disability prevention and rehabilitation for the welfare of disabled persons.

2. Formulate research and development policies on health, education, labor and social welfare of disabled persons.

3. Undertake continuing researches and related studies on various topics pertaining to disability prevention,
rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities.

4. Formulate integrated and comprehensive long and medium term national plans on the welfare of disabled persons.

5. Establish and maintain linkages and networking with local and international organizations, including organizations
of and for disabled persons.

6. Conduct program evaluation and monitoring, consultative meetings and symposia on issues related to disability
prevention and rehabilitation.

7. Propose legislation and initiate advocacy programs for the welfare of disabled persons.

8. Develop a broad public information and dissemination program on disability prevention, rehabilitation, full
participation and equalization of opportunities.

9. Submit periodic reports to the DSWD Secretary on the activities of the Council.

10. Establish and maintain a data bank and referral system on disability prevention, rehabilitation, full participation
and equalization of opportunities.

SECTION 5. Composition of the Council. The NCWDP is headed by a governing Board, the members of which are heads, or representatives of governmental and non- governmental organizations, and of disabled persons as well as civic and cause oriented organizations. The Board shall be composed of the following members or their duly designated representatives:

Government Offices

Department of Social Welfare and Development – Chairman
Department of Health – Member
Department of Labor and Employment – Member
Department of Education, Culture and Sports – Member
Department of National Defense – Member
Department of Agriculture – Member
National Economic and Development Authority – Member
Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Member
Department of Interior and Local Government – Member
Department of Trade and Industry – Member
Department of Public Works and Highways – Member
Department of Transportation and Communications – Member
Department of Justice – Member
Non-Government Offices Veterans Federation of the Philippines – Member
Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of Disabled, Inc. – Member
Private Representatives

Two (2) disabled persons and one (1) each from the civic group and a cause oriented organization, all of whom shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Chairman for a three (3) year term.

SECTION 6. The Chairman. The Chairman of the Board shall have the following duties:

To call and preside over the meeting of the Board.
To manage and administer the affairs of the Council.
To insure that the decisions and policies of the Board are implemented.
To sign and represent the Council.
To accept on behalf of the Council, gifts, grants or donations and to administer and disburse the same with the
approval of the Board in accordance with government rules, regulations and policies.
To enter into and execute such contracts as may be deemed necessary in the pursuit of the Council’s objectives, subject
to the approval of the Board and in accordance with government rules, regulations and policies.
To organize, permanent or ad-hoc committees, consisting of members of the Board or such other experts as are deemed
necessary for the discharge of the Council.

SECTION 7. Meetings. The Board shall meet every month or often at the call of the Chairman.
Eleven (11) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. However, when a decision is made by such quorum, it must carry the unanimous vote of all eleven members to be valid.

Members of the Board shall receive no compensation, but shall be entitled to honorarium and other allowances as resolved by the Board and authorized by the Department of Budget and Management.

SECTION 8. The Secretariat. The Council shall have a Secretariat which will provide the machinery to coordinate functions, organize services and evaluate programs as may be required by the Board in the exercise of its functions. It shall be headed by an Executive Director to be assisted by a Deputy Executive Director, both of whom shall be appointed by the President.

The main divisions of the Secretariat shall be as follows:
Office of the Executive Director
Administrative Division
Programs Management Division
Information, Education and Communication Division
Technical Cooperation Center

SECTION 9. The Executive Committee. There shall be created an Executive Committee to assist the Board. The Executive Committee shall be chaired by the Undersecretary of DSWD for attached agencies and shall be composed of nine (9) members to be chosen by the Chairman.

SECTION 10. Other Committees. The Board shall create committees as may be deemed necessary to carry out the functions of the Council.

SECTION 11. Appropriations. Funds needed to carry out the provisions of this Executive Order shall be taken from the funds available to the NCCDP. Thereafter, budget as shall be needed for the continued operation of the Council shall be regularly included in subsequent annual general appropriations act.

SECTION 12. Donations. The Council -shall be authorized to receive grants, donations, contributions or gifts which will be administered or disbursed for the purpose of which they were given or in the absence of such, as the Board may determine. In both cases, government rules and regulations shall apply.

SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 14. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

APPROVED in the City of Manila, Philippines, this 22nd day of July, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Seven.

(SGD.) CORAZON C. AQUINO

By the President:

(SGD.)JOKER R. ARROYO
Executive Secretary