Section 24Sec./Art. 24

Responsibility of Government Agencies. -For purposes of this Act, the different agencies shall have the following roles:

(a) DepEd - The DepEd shall be the lead agency in the implementation of this Act and shall ensure that learners with disabilities are guaranteed their right of access to free public early and basic education services.ℒαwρhi৷

(b) DOH - The DOH shall provide learners with disabilities with healthcare needs services such as child mental health service, health plans, oral health care, and family-to-family health information and education, advocacy organizations and other community organizations serving learners with disabilities and their families. It shall likewise coordinate with the ILRC for the services of Barangay Health Workers.

Due to the importance of integrating primacy care with mental health services, the DOH shall collaborate with the National Nutrition Council and the ECCD in the provision of inclusive health and nutrition services for the implementation of this Act.

(c) DSWD - The DSWD shall be responsible for the effective management and provision of social and welfare services, including auxiliary social services, for learners with disabilities based on their assessed needs, subject to its prescribed guidelines. It shall likewise coordinate with the DepEd and the DOH for the detail of necessary DSWD personnel to the ILRC.

(d) DPWH - The DPWH shall prescribe the proper physical indoor and outdoor set-up of the ILRC and ensure that the ILRC, roads, sidewalks, ramps, railings, and the like shall be constructed, built, and maintained in accordance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 344, otherwise known as the "Accessibility Law", and universal design concepts to ensure their accessibility and the mobility of learners with disabilities.

(e) DOLE, TESDA, and Public Employment Service Office (PESO) - The DOLE shall coordinate with the DepEd in developing a training program for the learners with disabilities' transition from school to work and provide to the ILRC current market analysis and job coaching sessions before and during their employment. The DOLE, TESDA and PESO shall facilitate job placements. The TESDA shall provide technical and vocational training when necessary. The PESO, on the other hand, shall conduct employability enhancement seminars, provide pre-employment counseling and orientation, and offer programs and activities on employment assistance pursuant to Republic Act No. 8759, otherwise known as the "Public Employment Service Office Act of 1999", as amended.

The DOLE, TESDA, and PESO shall lead the promotion of inclusion of learners with disabilities among public and private institutions and comply with the requirements set forth under Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the "Magna Carta for Disabled Persons", as amended by Republic Act No. 10524. They shall likewise disseminate materials and conduct orientation and information campaign concerning effective practices in working with and training learners with disabilities.

(f) DILG - The DILG, in consultation with the DepEd, LGUs and other relevant agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the policies and guidelines relevant to the implementation of this Act by the LGUs.

(g) LGUs - The LGUs shall also perform the following functions and responsibilities:

(1) Partner with public or private volunteers and local or international private organizations, duly recognized and accredited by appropriate government office, for technical guidance and information dissemination campaigns and funding support to augment the funding for the services pertaining to this Act;

(2) Participate in all efforts concerning inclusion of learners with disabilities in the general education system, health services, transport services, and other social and welfare services;

(3) Adopt measures to raise awareness in the community to respond to the needs of learners with disabilities;

(4) Enact appropriate ordinances to implement the LGU's role in this Act; and

(5) Coordinate and share the responsibility with national government agencies and other stakeholders for the implementation, regulation, enforcement and monitoring of the provisions of this Act within their territorial jurisdiction, including CFS.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 235 and 272 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the "Local Government Code of 1991", the Local School Boards shall be authorized to set aside a portion of the proceeds of the Special Education Fund to supplement the funds of the DepEd and other implementing partner agencies for the delivery of support and related services for learners with disabilities to include, but not limited to, any of the following:

(i) Provision of sites, buildings or centers where there are no existing school facilities that may be used for purposes of this Act;

(ii) Provision of assistive devices, instructional materials and teacher's training;

(iii) Delivery of health and nutrition services and interventions and educational assessment programs for learners with disabilities in their respective localities that shall be initiated by the DOH and DepEd, respectively; and

(iv) Provision of trainings on livelihood and entrepreneurial skills, in coordination with DOLE and TESDA.

(h) Barangays - The barangays shall coordinate with the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) established under Republic Act No. 7277, as amended by Republic Act No. 10070, in their respective cities and municipalities for the assistance that they may provide for learners with disabilities, their parents or guardians, care providers, and other family members on matters affecting the education and provision of services to learners with disabilities as provided in this Act.

A barangay may seek assistance from the ILRC in its area to facilitate the proper training of barangay help desk personnel to perfrom their functions under this section. The ILRC shall likewise ensure that necessary information and materials on the rights of learners with disabilities under this Act and other existing laws are provided to the barangays.