Persons living with cancer can avail of PWD discounts

Dear PAO,

Are cancer patients qualified to apply for a PWD card so they can also avail benefits, especially discounts on medicines and necessary treatments? My aunt used to work as an overseas domestic helper, but she had to go back to our province after she was diagnosed with cancer last year. As expected, the costs of her medicines and treatments are expensive. So, she is contemplating on applying for a PWD ID to avail of the discount, but she is not sure if she can be considered as a "person with disability."

Marjorie

Dear Marjorie,

With the passage of Republic Act (RA) 11215, otherwise known as the "National Integrated Cancer Control Act," cancer patients, persons living with cancer and cancer survivors are granted a number of benefits, assistance and privileges. One of these is to be accorded with the same rights and privileges as a person with disability (PWD). It is explicitly provided for under Sections 25 and 26 of RA 11215 that:

"Section 25. Persons with Disabilities. – Cancer patients, persons living with cancer and cancer survivors are considered as persons with disabilities (PWDs) in accordance with Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, otherwise known as the 'Magna Carta for Disabled Persons'.

"Section 26. Rights and Privileges. – The cancer patients, persons living with cancer and cancer survivors are accorded the same rights and privileges as PWDs and the DSWD shall ensure that their social welfare and benefits provided under Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, are granted to them. Further, the DOLE shall adopt programs which promote work and employment opportunities for able persons with cancer and cancer survivors."

Corollary, it will be best for your aunt to get in touch with or personally visit the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office of the local government unit where she resides and present her pertinent documents, including her medical reports, diagnoses and the like, for proper evaluation and, if she is qualified, for the issuance of a PWD identification card and booklet.

Once she is given her PWD ID and booklet, she may use those to avail discounts on medicines and treatments, among such other benefits PWDs may insist upon. In particular, pursuant to Section 1 of RA 10754, which amended Section 32 of Republic Act 7277:

"SEC. 32. Persons with disability shall be entitled to:

"(a) At least twenty percent (20%) discount and exemption from the value-added tax (VAT), if applicable, on the following sale of goods and services for the exclusive use and enjoyment or availment of the PWD: x x x

"(3) On the purchase of medicines in all drugstores;

"(4) On medical and dental services including diagnostic and laboratory fees such as, but not limited to, X-rays, computerized tomography scans and blood tests, and professional fees of attending doctors in all government facilities, subject to the guidelines to be issued by the Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth);

"(5) On medical and dental services including diagnostic and laboratory fees, and professional fees of attending doctors in all private hospitals and medical facilities, in accordance with the rules and regulations to be issued by the DOH, in coordination with the PhilHealth; x x x"

We hope that we were able to answer your queries. This advice is based solely on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion may vary when other facts are changed or elaborated.