The 2013 Philippine Parallel Report on the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The 2013 Philippine Parallel Report on the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 

Voices of the truth from an invisible sector 

For the first time in the history of the human rights movement in the Philippines, disabled 
peoples' organizations (DPOs) have come together to make their voices heard before the United Nations. 

The Philippine Coalition on the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a 
civil society alliance representing over 65,000 Filipinos with disabilities from at least nine 
disability constituencies, presents an evidence-based document on implementation by the State of its commitment to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Filipinos with disabilities. 

The 60-page document, a product of three years of data gathering and analysis on the civil, 
political, economic, social and cultural rights of Filipinos with disabilities brings together 
never-before considered questions and information from a sector which has, for the longest 
time, remained largely unheard of, unseen, and forgotten. 

The Report considers the extent of the impact of the Convention, ratified in 2008, on the lives 
of Filipinos with disabilities – for those living in urban or rural areas, in conditions ranging 
from abject poverty to legalized institutionalization, and through the eyes of women, or 
children, or elderly Filipinos with disabilities. It unflinchingly presents the day-to-day realities 
of a Filipino with disability as s/he struggles in the home, in the classroom, at the polling place, 
at the workplace, in the hospital, and even in the courtroom. It publicly discloses for the first 
time, images of Filipinos with disabilities struggling to survive and live in the streets, in 
mental institutions, in prisons – facing relentless barriers of environment and attitude, from 
birth to the point of rape, torture and death; facing blatant discrimination from individuals or 
organizations; and injustice perpetuated by practice, and even legislation. 

The Report speaks plainly and draws numerous examples of denial of reasonable 
accommodation, of squandered opportunities for progressive realization, and the maximum use of available resources. It describes the lack of awareness that has led to gaps in policy, 
implementation, financing and monitoring. It clarifies once, and for all, that impairment is not 
equivalent to disability, and that disability is not a tragic destiny of the individual, but a learned 
pathology by society. Thus, it underscores the need to radically shift the view of disability 
from that of charity, and of cure / treatment, to one of dignity, diversity and humanity. 

Despite the tremendous challenges relating to transparency and availability of gathering of 
government data, the Coalition asks for the very first time, the question “how much is the State 
spending for persons with disabilities?” The Report proceeds to also describe how many, and 


which, of the few Filipinos with disabilities, are able to actually receive benefits from programs 
or services for health, education, social protection and justice. 

This Report speaks the truth on the situation and lives of Filipinos with disabilities, and it is not 
a pretty picture, or one that the State or the public may want to see, or feel comfortable to 
accept. Yet, for things to get better, we must see the truth clearly. Frustration, emotion and 
even anger, will perhaps come through between the lines of this Report, and we do not 
apologize for it. The words in this Report speak for those who cannot do so, or come forward 
for themselves, or for those who no longer have breath to speak. We bring these messages of 
truth boldly and with conviction, for all of us who have lived lives of quiet suffering and 
desperation. 

We do however believe unwaveringly, in the hope of how things can be made better. We 
believe that looking in earnest, through our eyes, at the complex lives of all Filipinos with 
disabilities, shall help us start the many, many conversations needed to start changing things for the better. We insist that we be part of the process, and that our voices be heard, from now on, 
and all the time. We claim our place equally with all other Filipino citizens in all aspects of life 
and community, because our humanity give us the right to do so. And we hold fast to the vision 
that all rights for all disabilities is a journey that we all need to walk together. 

We take the first step with this Parallel Report. Listen to us, see through our eyes, and give us space beside you. 


Philippine Coalition on the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 

Alyansa ng may Kapansanang Pinoy 
Autism Society Philippines 
CALL Foundation of the Blind 
Deafblind Support Philippines 
Government Union for the Integration of Differently-Abled Employees 
Katipunan ng mga Maykapansanan sa Pilipinas 
Las Pinas Persons with Disability Federation 
Leonard Cheshire Disability Philippines 
Life Haven 
National Organization for Visually Impaired Empowered Ladies 
New Vois Association 
Nova Foundation 
Parents Association of Visually impaired Children 
Philippine Alliance for Persons with Chronic Illness 
Philippine Association for Children With Developmental and Learning Disabilities 
Philippine Chamber for Massage Industry for Visually Impaired 
Philippine Deaf Resource Center 
Philippine Federation of the Deaf 
Punlaka 
Quezon City Federation of Persons With Disabilities 
Tahanang Walang Hagdanan 
Women with Disabilities Leap To Social and Economic Progress