Press Release
January 7, 2010

Statement of Sen. Pia S. Cayetano On Cebu Pacific Issue

"The incident exemplifies how various forms of discrimination against persons with disabilities (PWDs) persist in our society and how much work needs to be done to rectify these. The apology issued by Cebu Pacific should be welcomed, as this creates awareness on the need for all airlines and transport facilities to review their respective policies on conveying PWDs. They should be guided by Sec.34 of Republic Act 7277, the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, which considers it a form of discrimination for any franchisees, operators or personnel of sea, land and air transportation facilities to refuse to convey a passenger by reason of his or her disability."

Note: Sen. Pia S. Cayetano is the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, and principal author of Senate Bill 3560, which seeks to create a PWDs Affairs Office in every local government unit. The bill is set to be approved on third reading by the Senate.

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