NCDA slams “tagging” with derogatory terms a PWD couple at popular coffee shop
• The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) has issued a strong condemnation against a coffee shop in Muntinlupa City for allegedly "marking" or "tagging" PWD customers based on their disabilities
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• The NCDA asserts that this practice, which gained attention after a PWD customer was labeled "BULOL" on his cup, directly violates the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities (RA 7277, as amended by RA 9442), specifically its prohibition against public ridicule
• The NCDA has urged the coffee shop's management to implement immediate corrective measures and ensure all employees are educated on PWD rights and sensitivity
• Individuals or entities found guilty of violating RA 9442 face significant penalties, including fines ranging from P50,000 to P200,000 and imprisonment from six months to six years, depending on the severity and recurrence of the violation
The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) has issued a stern statement condemning an incident at a prominent international coffee shop inside a shopping mall in Muntinlupa City, where recently, a couple with disabilities were allegedly "marked" or "tagged" based on their conditions.
Source: UGC
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The NCDA's pronouncement, dated July 22, 2025, follows a viral social media post from July 21, 2025, detailing the distressing experience of a couple with disabilities.
The incident gained widespread attention after a PWD customer, reportedly with a speech disability, was allegedly labeled with the derogatory term "BULOL" on his beverage cup.
While the NCDA's formal statement does not specifically name the term used, it broadly addresses the practice of indicating a customer's disability, even if derived from their identification cards, on service items. This practice, according to the NCDA, is deemed highly insensitive and discriminatory.
The NCDA emphasized that such actions constitute a direct violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 7277, famously known as the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities, particularly as amended by RA No. 9442.
This landmark legislation is designed to promote the full integration of persons with disabilities into mainstream society and strongly advocates for their respect and welfare.
The Magna Carta underscores the government's paramount responsibility to dismantle barriers that impede the inclusion of PWDs, encompassing not only physical obstacles but also deeply entrenched social and cultural attitudes that foster discrimination.
Furthermore, the NCDA highlighted that the alleged "tagging" directly contravenes RA No. 9442's explicit prohibition against public ridicule of persons with disabilities.
This specific provision legally defines public ridicule as any act of mockery or contempt directed at individuals because of their disabilities, irrespective of whether such an act is expressed verbally or non-verbally.
The NCDA's robust stance on this matter stresses that public establishments, such as the widely recognized coffee shop involved, are legally and morally obligated to uphold the rights and dignity of every individual, regardless of their physical or mental capabilities.
It is imperative that businesses not only comprehend their legal obligations to prevent discrimination but also cultivate an environment of genuine respect and inclusivity among all their staff members.
In light of the incident and the NCDA's stern rebuke, the Council has formally urged the management of the implicated coffee shop to take immediate and decisive action.
This includes implementing comprehensive corrective measures and ensuring that all employees receive thorough education on the rights of persons with disabilities, along with training on the sensitivity required in their interactions.
This call for accountability and reform extends universally to all establishments, serving as a reminder to recognize and affirm the fundamental equality of all persons with disabilities.
Under RA No. 9442, any individual or entity found in violation of its provisions faces significant penalties:
For a first violation, a fine ranging from Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) to One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00), or imprisonment for a period of six months to two years, or both, at the discretion of the court.
For any subsequent violation, the penalties escalate to a fine of One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) to Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00), or imprisonment for two years to six years, or both, at the discretion of the court.
The incident serves as a critical test case for upholding PWD rights in customer service settings across the country, as both the public and advocacy groups await transparent action from the coffee shop's management.
News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories.
In other news, a baby girl, appearing freshly born with umbilical cord still attached, was discovered in a secluded, overgrown area of Barangay Ilayang Taykin, Liliw, Laguna, on July 23, 2025. Residents quickly mobilized to clean and care for the vulnerable infant, ensuring she is now in stable condition and receiving proper care. The Liliw Municipal Police Station has launched an intensive probe to identify and locate the individual(s) responsible for abandoning the newborn. The incident has prompted discussions within the community regarding maternal health support and the complex issues that can lead to infant abandonment.
Meanwhile in news overseas, President BBM, during his first meeting with US President Donald Trump, listened to the latter publicly stating that the previous Duterte administration "didn't know what they were doing" and "didn't get along with anybody" in its foreign policy. Trump expressed satisfaction that the Philippines, which he said was "tilting toward China" under Duterte, has now "un-tilted" back towards the United States under Marcos Jr.'s leadership. Trump's remarks come as former President Duterte is reportedly detained by the ICC, and amid a heated political rivalry between President Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte in the Philippines. The article notes that under President Marcos Jr., the Philippines has adopted a more decisive stance on the West Philippine Sea, a shift that aligns with consistent US support in the disputed waters.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
