MANILA, Philippines - House Deputy Majority Leader Roman Romulo is pushing for the formation of a new congressional panel that would oversee the aggressive performance of all policies and programs meant to protect and advance the rights of Filipinos with disabilities.

Romulo has filed House Resolution 987, which seeks to create a House special committee on persons with disabilities (PWDs).

"We are totally committed to empowering the estimated 9.7 million Filipinos with disabilities, and to improving their living conditions," said Romulo, who represents the lone district of Pasig City.

PWDs refer to those with attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, behavior problem, the chronically ill, hearing impaired, learning disabled, mentally challenged, orthopedically handicapped, speech defective, slow learner, and the visually impaired, among others.

The proposed special committee would have jurisdiction over all matters relating to policies and programs to secure and press forward the rights and interests of PWDs, prevent the causes of disabilities, and promote rehabilitation.

Romulo said the committee would help foster better political, cultural and social conditions for PWDs.

He said the committee would also give meaning to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which the Philippines ratified on April 15, 2008, and the new Magna Carta for PWDs, which was signed into law on April 6, 2010.

The new Magna Carta for PWDs, or Republic Act 10070, mandated the creation of a Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) in every province, city and municipality.

The PDAO is meant to match the Office of Senior Citizens' Affairs now run by local governments to exclusively to look after the elderly.

Romulo stressed the need for government and the private sector to move forcefully to provide PWDs greater access to gainful employment and livelihood opportunities.

"Compared to other countries, we lag in terms of providing certain adjustments that will increase PWD access to public transportation and communications facilities, or even buildings," he pointed out.