REPUBLIC ACT NO.

9492

Provided, however, That Eidul Adha shall be celebrated as a regional holiday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

AN ACT RATIONALIZING THE CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL HOLIDAYS AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 26, CHAPTER 7, BOOK 1 OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 292, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1987 SECTION 1. Section 26, Chapter 7, Book 1 of Executive Order No. 292, as SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its SECTION 2. All laws, orders presidential issuances, rules and regulations

or part thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

amended, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987, is hereby amended to read as follows:

publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.

SEC. 26.

Regular Holidays and Nationwide Special Days. (1) Unless

Approved, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8187 AN ACT GRANTING PATERNITY LEAVE OF SEVEN (7) DAYS WITH FULL PAY TO

otherwise modified by law, order or proclamation, the following regular holidays and special days shall be observed in the country:

a)

Regular Holidays

ALL MARRIED MALE EMPLOYEES IN THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS FOR THE FIRST FOUR (4) DELIVERIES OF THE LEGITIMATE SPOUSE WITH WHOM HE IS COHABITING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. -January 1 SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Paternity Leave Act of 1996".

New Years Day

Maundy Thursday

-Movable Date SECTION 2. Notwithstanding any law, rules and regulations to the contrary, every married male

Good Friday

-Movable Date employee in the private and public sectors shall be entitled to a paternity leave of seven (7)

Eidul Fitr

-Movable Date days with full pay for the first four (4) deliveries of the legitimate spouse with whom he is

Araw ng Kagitingan (Bataan and Corregidor Day) -Monday nearest April 9 cohabiting. The male employee applying for paternity leave shall notify his employer of the pregnancy of his legitimate spouse and the expected date of such delivery. For purposes, of this Act, delivery shall include childbirth or any miscarriage. Independence Day -Monday nearest June 12 SECTION 3. Definition of Term. - For purposes of this Act, Paternity Leave refers to the National Heroes Day -Last Monday of August benefits granted to a married male employee allowing him not to report for work for seven (7) Bonifacio Day -Monday nearest November 30 days but continues to earn the compensation therefor, on the condition that his spouse has Christmas Day -December 25 delivered a child or suffered a miscarriage for purposes of enabling him to effectively lend Rizal Day b) Nationwide Special Holidays -Monday nearest December 30 support to his wife in her period of recovery and/or in the nursing of the newly-born child. SECTION 4. The Secretary of Labor and Employment, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission and the Secretary of Health shall, within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, issue such rules and regulations necessary for the proper implementation of the provisions hereof. SECTION 5. Any person, corporation, trust, firm, partnership, association or entity found violating this Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder shall be punished by a fine not exceeding Twenty-five thousand pesos (P25,000) or imprisonment of not less than

Labor Day

-Monday nearest May 1

Ninoy Aquino Day

-Monday nearest August 21

All Saints Day

-November 1

Last Day of the Year c)

-December 31

In the event the holiday falls on a Wednesday, the holiday will be

observed on the Monday of that week. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed on the Monday that follows:

Provided, That for movable holidays, the President shall issue a proclamation, at least six months prior to the holiday concerned, the specific date that shall be declared as a nonworking day:

thirty (30)days nor more than six (6) months. If the violation is committed by a corporation, trust or firm, partnership, association or any other entity, the penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed on the entity's responsible officers, including, but not limited to, the president, vice-president, chief executive officer, general manager, managing director or partner directly responsible therefor. SECTION 6. Nondiminution Clause. - Nothing in this Act shall be construed to reduce any existing benefits of any form granted under existing laws, decrees, executive orders, or any contract agreement or policy between employer and employee. SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, issuances, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation. Approved: June 11, 1996 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9442 April 30, 2007

(f) At least twenty percent (20%) discount on fare for domestic air and sea travel for the exclusive use or enjoyment of persons with disability; (g) At least twenty percent (20%) discount in public railways, skyways and bus fare for the exclusive use and enjoyment of persons with disability; (h) Educational assistance to persons with disability, for them to pursue primary, secondary, tertiary, post tertiary, as well as vocational or technical education, In both public and private schools, through the provision of scholarships, grants, financial aids, subsidies and other incentives to qualified persons with disability, including support for books, learning materials, and uniform allowance to the extent feasible:provided, that persons with disability shall meet minimum admission requirements; (i) To the extent practicable and feasible, the continuance of the same benefits and privileges given by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), and PAGIBIG, as the case may be, as are enjoyed by those in actual service; (j) To the extent possible, the government may grant special discounts in special programs for persons with disability on purchase of basic commodities, subject to guidelines to be issued for the purpose by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA); and (k) Provision of express lanes for persons with disability in all commercial and government establishments; in the absence thereof, priority shall be given to them. The abovementioned privileges are available only to persons with disability who are Filipino citizens upon submission of any of the following as proof of his/her entitlement thereto: (I) An identification card issued by the city or municipal mayor the barangay captain of the place where the person with disability resides; (II) The passport of the persons with disability concerned; or (III) Transportation discount fare Identification Card (ID) issued by the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP). The privileges may not be claimed if the persons with disability claims a higher discount as may be granted by the commercial establishment and/or under other existing laws or in combination with other discount program/s. The establishments may claim the discounts granted in subsections (a), (b), (c), (e), (f) and (g) as tax deductions based on the net cost of the goods sold or services rendered: provided, however, That the cost of the discount shall be allowed as deduction from gross income for the same taxable year that the discount is granted: provided, further, That the total amount of the claimed tax deduction net of value-added tax if applicable, shall be Included in their gross sales receipts for tax purposes and shall be subject to proper documentation and to the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), as amended." "SEC. 33. Incentives. - Those caring for and living with a person with disability shall be granted the following incentives; (a) persons with disability shall be treated as dependents under Section 35(A) of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended and as such, individual taxpayers caring for them shall be accorded the privileges granted by the code Insofar as having dependents under the same section are concerned; and (b) Individuals or nongovernmental institutions establishing homes, residential communities or retirement villages solely to suit the needs and requirements of persons with disability shall be accorded the following: (i) Realty tax holiday for the first five years of operation; and

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MAGNA CARTA FOR DISABLED PERSONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: SECTION 1. A new chapter, to be denominated as "Chapter 8. Other Privileges and Incentives" is hereby added to Title Two of Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the "Magna Carta for Disabled Persons", with new Sections 32 and 33, to read as follows: "CHAPTER 8. Other Privileges and Incentives "SEC. 32. Persons with disability shall be entitled to the following: (a) At least twenty percent (20%) discount from all establishments relative to the utilization of all services in hotels and similar lodging establishments; restaurants and recreation centers for the exclusive use or enjoyment of persons with disability; (b) A minimum of twenty percent (20%) discount on admission fees charged by the theaters, cinema houses, concert halls, circuses, carnivals and other similar places of culture, leisure and amusement for the exclusive use or enjoyment of persons with disability; (c) At least twenty percent (20%) discount for the purchase of medicines in all drugstores for the exclusive use or enjoyment of persons with disability; (d) At least twenty percent (20%) discount on medical and dental services including diagnostic and laboratory fees such as, but not limited to x-rays, computerized tomography scans and blood tests, in all government facilities, subject to guidelines to be issued by the Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH); (e) At least twenty percent (20%) discount 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;

(ii) Priority in the building and/or maintenance of provincial or municipal roads leading to the aforesaid home residential community or retirement village." SEC. 2. Republic Act No. 7277 is hereby amended by inserting a new title, chapter and section after Section 38 to be denominated as Title 4, chapters 1 and 2 and Sections 39, 40, 41 and 42 to read as follows: "Title Four Prohibitions on Verbal, Non-verbal Ridicule and VilificationAgainst Persons with Disability "CHAPTER 1. Deliverance from Public Ridicule. "SEC. 39. Public Ridicule . - For purposes of this Chapter, public ridicule shall be defined as an act of making fun or contemptuous initiating or making mockery of persons with disability whether in writing or in words, or in action due to their impairment/s. "SEC. 40. No individual, group or community shall execute any of these acts of ridicule against persons with disability in any time and place which could intimidate or result in loss of self-esteem of the latter. "CHAPTER 2. Deliverance from Vilification "SEC. 41. Vilification. - For purposes of this chapter, vilification shall be defined as: (a) the utterance of slanderous and abusive statements against a person with disability; and/or (b) An activity in public which incites hatred towards serious contempt for, or severe ridicule of persons with disability." "SEC. 42. Any individual, group or community is hereby prohibited from vilifying any person with disability which could result into loss of self-esteem of the latter." SEC. 3. Section 46 of Republic Act No. 7277 is hereby amended to read as follows: "SEC. 46. Penal Clause. (a) Any person who violates any provision of this Act shall suffer the following penalties: (1) For the first violation, a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than two years, or both at the discretion of the court; and (2) For any subsequent violation, a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) or imprisonment for not less than two years but not more than six years, or both at the discretion of the court. (b) Any person who abuses the privileges granted herein shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six months or a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00), but not more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court. (c) If the violator is a corporation organization or any similar entity, the officials thereof directly involved shall be liable therefore. (d) If the violator is an alien or a foreigner, he shall be deported immediately after service of sentence without further deportation proceedings. Upon filing of an appropriate complaint, and after notice and hearing the proper authorities may also cause the cancellation or revocation of the business permit, permit to operate, franchise

and other similar privileges granted to any business entity that fails to abide by the provisions of this Act." Sec. 4. The title of Republic Act No. 7277 is hereby amended to read as the "Magna Carta for Persons with Disability", and all references on the said law to "disabled persons" shall likewise be amended to read as "persons with disability". SEC. 5. The Department of Social Welfare and Development, the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, in consultation with the concerned Senate and House committees and other agencies, organizations, establishments shall formulate an agencies, organizations, establishments shall formulate an implementing rules and regulations pertinent to the provisions of this Act within six months after the effectivity of this Act. SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in any two newspapers of general circulation. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8972 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO SOLO PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines Congress assembled: Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Solo Parents' Welfare Act of 2000." Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote the family as the foundation of the nation, strengthen its solidarity and ensure its total development. Towards this end, it shall develop a comprehensive program of services for solo parents and their children to be carried out by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the National Housing Authority (NHA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other related government and nongovernment agencies. Section 3. Definition of Terms. - Whenever used in this Act, the following terms shall mean as follows: (a) "Solo parent" - any individual who falls under any of the following categories: (1) A woman who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes against chastity even without a final conviction of the offender: Provided, That the mother keeps and raises the child; (2) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to death of spouse; (3) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood while the spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal conviction for at least one (1) year; (4) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to physical and/or mental incapacity of spouse as certified by a public medical practitioner; (5) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to legal separation or de factoseparation from spouse for at least one (1) year, as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of the children; (6) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage as decreed by a court or by a church as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of the children; (7) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to abandonment of spouse for at least one (1) year;

(8) Unmarried mother/father who has preferred to keep and rear her/his child/children instead of having others care for them or give them up to a welfare institution; (9) Any other person who solely provides parental care and support to a child or children; (10) Any family member who assumes the responsibility of head of family as a result of the death, abandonment, disappearance or prolonged absence of the parents or solo parent. A change in the status or circumstance of the parent claiming benefits under this Act, such that he/she is no longer left alone with the responsibility of parenthood, shall terminate his/her eligibility for these benefits. (b) "Children" - refer to those living with and dependent upon the solo parent for support who are unmarried, unemployed and not more than eighteen (18) years of age, or even over eighteen (18) years but are incapable of self-support because of mental and/or physical defect/disability. (c) "Parental responsibility" - with respect to their minor children shall refer to the rights and duties of the parents as defined in Article 220 of Executive Order No. 209, as amended, otherwise known as the "Family Code of the Philippines." (d) "Parental leave" - shall mean leave benefits granted to a solo parent to enable him/her to perform parental duties and responsibilities where physical presence is required. (e) "Flexible work schedule" - is the right granted to a solo parent employee to vary his/her arrival and departure time without affecting the core work hours as defined by the employer. Section 4. Criteria for Support. - Any solo parent whose income in the place of domicile falls below the poverty threshold as set by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and subject to the assessment of the DSWD worker in the area shall be eligible for assistance: Provided, however, That any solo parent whose income is above the poverty threshold shall enjoy the benefits mentioned in Sections 6, 7 and 8 of this Act. Section 5. Comprehensive Package of Social Development and Welfare Services. - A comprehensive package of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their families will be developed by the DSWD, DOH, DECS, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, NHA and DILG, in coordination with local government units and a nongovernmental organization with proven track record in providing services for solo parents. The DSWD shall coordinate with concerned agencies the implementation of the comprehensive package of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their families. The package will initially include: (a) Livelihood development services which include trainings on livelihood skills, basic business management, value orientation and the provision of seed capital or job placement. (b) Counseling services which include individual, peer group or family counseling. This will focus on the resolution of personal relationship and role conflicts. (c) Parent effectiveness services which include the provision and expansion of knowledge and skills of the solo parent on early childhood development, behavior management, health care, rights and duties of parents and children. (d) Critical incidence stress debriefing which includes preventive stress management strategy designed to assist solo parents in coping with crisis situations and cases of abuse. (e) Special projects for individuals in need of protection which include temporary shelter, counseling, legal assistance, medical care, self-concept or ego-building, crisis management and spiritual enrichment. Section 6. Flexible Work Schedule. - The employer shall provide for a flexible working schedule for solo parents: Provided, That the same shall not affect individual and company productivity: Provided, further, That any employer

may request exemption from the above requirements from the DOLE on certain meritorious grounds. Section 7. Work Discrimination. - No employer shall discriminate against any solo parent employee with respect to terms and conditions of employment on account of his/her status. Section 8. Parental Leave. - In addition to leave privileges under existing laws, parental leave of not more than seven (7) working days every year shall be granted to any solo parent employee who has rendered service of at least one (1) year. Section 9. Educational Benefits. - The DECS, CHED and TESDA shall provide the following benefits and privileges: (1) Scholarship programs for qualified solo parents and their children in institutions of basic, tertiary and technical/skills education; and (2) Nonformal education programs appropriate for solo parents and their children. The DECS, CHED and TESDA shall promulgate rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this program. Section 10. Housing Benefits. - Solo parents shall be given allocation in housing projects and shall be provided with liberal terms of payment on said government low-cost housing projects in accordance with housing law provisions prioritizing applicants below the poverty line as declared by the NEDA. Section 11. Medical Assistance. - The DOH shall develop a comprehensive health care program for solo parents and their children. The program shall be implemented by the DOH through their retained hospitals and medical centers and the local government units (LGUs) through their provincial/district/city/municipal hospitals and rural health units (RHUs). Section 12. Additional Powers and Functions of the DSWD. The DSWD shall perform the following additional powers and functions relative to the welfare of solo parents and their families: (a) Conduct research necessary to: (1) develop a new body of knowledge on solo parents; (2) define executive and legislative measures needed to promote and protect the interest of solo parents and their children; and (3) assess the effectiveness of programs designed for disadvantaged solo parents and their children; (b) Coordinate the activities of various governmental and nongovernmental organizations engaged in promoting and protecting the interests of solo parents and their children; and (c) Monitor the implementation of the provisions of this Act and suggest mechanisms by which such provisions are effectively implemented. Section 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - An interagency committee headed by the DSWD, in coordination with the DOH, DECS, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, NHA, and DILG is hereby established which shall formulate, within ninety (90) days upon the effectivity of this Act, the implementing rules and regulations in consultation with the local government units, nongovernment organizations and people's organizations. Section 14. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the budget of concerned government agencies in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.1awphil.net Section 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, administrative orders or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. Section 16. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. Section 17. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete publication in theOfficial Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation.