MANILA, Philippines — Two lawmakers want “persons with disability (PWD)” to be relabeled as “persons of determination (POD),” supposedly to change how Filipinos perceive and treat them.
Spouses Quezon Rep. David Suarez and ALONA party list Rep. Anna Marie Suarez filed House Bill No. 7033 seeking to describe PWDs as PODs instead, just like in the United Arab Emirates.
“With this proposed measure, the term ‘persons with disability’ will be changed to ‘persons of determination’ and shall likewise change our perception in dealing and treating persons with determination,” they said.
The bill will also “ensure the full and effective participation of a person of determination in all aspects of society, to be on equal footing with a person without disability.”