LGUs urged to prioritize PWDs in relief aid during quarantine

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday reminded local government units (LGUs) to prioritize persons with disabilities (PWDs) when providing relief goods during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

“The ECQ is more challenging to vulnerable groups like PWDs. The DILG urges LGUs to prioritize PWDs in distributing food packs, medicine, and vitamins,” Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said in a statement.

Under the DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2020-066, provincial governors are mandated to ensure that their city and municipal mayors will cover PWDs in their list of beneficiaries.

The memorandum also states that LGUs should provide transportation services to PWDs in case of emergencies as mass transport services are suspended during the ongoing quarantine period.

The circular was issued after DILG received reports from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) that the PWD sector had concerns during the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

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