July 24, 2007 – Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) Party List Representative, Joel J. Villanueva, attends the first plenary session of the Fourteenth Congress on wheelchair, due to knee injury, with a proposed House Resolution for persons with disabilities. 

The resolution also calls for a legislative investigation on the poor implementation of the enforcement of the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (R.A. No. 7277) which was amended by Congress last February by R.A. No. 9442. 

According to Villanueva, an inquiry should be conducted in the House to look into whether the failure to effect the Magna Carta is due to flaws in the laws or due simply to lapses in public service. 

With an injury that required surgery ion his right knee and six months of therapy. The young solon shares his personal experience as a person with injury and sympathizes with the many PWDs out there who are even less fortunate. 

“Even the halls of Congress can be unfriendly to PWDs. Sadly, this seems to be the prevailing situation in many areas in the country,” says Villanueva.  

The Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (R.A. No. 7277), recently amended by R.A. No 9442, provides privileges and protection for PWDs and their families. These include 20% discounts on transportation, goods and services and tax incentives for those caring PWDs.