RP marks entry into force of UN Convention on Rights of Persons

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines will mark the entry into force of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with celebrations organized by sectoral representatives and government agencies aimed at changing the perception on disability.

The convention takes effect on May 3 but the local celebration is meant to coincide with the commemorative event on May 12 at the UN headquarters in New York in the presence of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and other distinguished guests.

Members of non-government organizations and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) led by its chairman, Rosie Lovely Romulo, met last Tuesday at the DFA to plan out activities to commemorate the momentous event.

A massive “unity walk” and program is scheduled in the morning to demonstrate the strong support for the pact by those most affected.

The walk is intended to draw attention to the existence of persons who have physical, mental, intellectual, sensory and developmental impairments, in order to create awareness that they have the same rights normally enjoyed and often taken for granted by the non-impaired.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol were adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2006. 

The Philippines became a signatory to the convention on Sept. 15, 2007 and ratified it last April 15, becoming the 23rd country to acknowledge the legal obligation to be bound by the provisions of the pact and enact appropriate legislation as needed.

The pact is a major step toward changing the perception on disability and ensures that societies recognize that all people must be provided with the opportunities to live life to their fullest potential.