Davao City: The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has approved an ordinance aimed at penalizing the degradation, vilification, or public ridicule of persons with disabilities (PWD), with guilty parties facing penalties.

According to Philippines News Agency, the ordinance, titled "Comprehensive Persons with Disability Rights, Privileges, and Protection Ordinance of Davao City," was passed during Tuesday's regular session of the SP and is currently awaiting final approval and signature by Mayor Sebastian Duterte. Redendo Martinez, head of the city's Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), announced that preparations are underway to form a technical working group that will include disability representatives to develop rules for the PWD Rights ordinance.

Martinez expressed satisfaction with the ordinance's passage and expressed hope that Mayor Duterte will sign it in time for National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Month in July. The ordinance outlines that individuals engaging in acts of public ridicule against PWDs will face a fine of PHP1,000 for the first offense, PHP3,000 for the second offense, and PHP5,000 or one month of imprisonment or both at the court's discretion for third and subsequent offenses.

Furthermore, establishments found violating the ordinance will be charged separately under Republic Act (RA) 7477, also known as "The Magna Carta for Disabled Persons," along with other related national laws. The ordinance also provides penalties for individuals found possessing any falsified PWD identification documents.