LUBAO, Pampanga — Governor Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda announced to some 1,000 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) here that they now enjoy more perks from national and local governments at par with the perks granted to senior citizens.

 “The national government is now maximizing the benefits that PWDs deserve under the law as Republic Act No.10754 was already signed granting 12 percent VAT exemption on certain goods and services to PWDs,”the governor said.

She said the VAT exemption coverage of the law shall apply on the following: medical and dental services; skyways and bus fare; admission fees charged by theaters, cinema houses, concert halls, circuses, carnivals and other places of culture, leisure and amusement; and all services
in hotels and similar lodging establishments, restaurants, and recreation centers.

The PWD law would also allow the relatives, up to the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, taking care of handicapped to claim a tax deduction of P25,000 in their income tax.

The law added funeral services and burial expenses to the list of assistance to be given to PWDs.

Aside from this, the governor said that all PWDs in the province are now given free Philhealth through the Point of Care (POC) program of the Pampanga Capitol at the eleven district and provincial hospitals in Pampanga.

“The free Philhealth premiun amounting to P2,400 for one year  is being paid by the provincial government once they register at the Public hospitals run by the Capitol,” she said.

She added that all PWDs are also given Identification Cards which they could show to the district hospitals for their free hospitalization and provision of free Philhealth.

“If there is a need for the patient to be transferred to the private hospitals, the patient could already use the free Philhealth given by the provincial government through point of care program,” the governor explained.

With this, the PWDs lauded the provincial government for giving utmost importance to the rights and privileges of the disabled persons.

During the PWD assembly, the governor

The PWDs said Governor Pineda is giving full support to the improvement of the total well-being of disabled persons.