THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has spoken out against “Ngongo,” the upcoming film by controversial director Darryl Yap, saying it should not normalize any form of discrimination against persons with disabilities (PWDs).
In a statement released Friday, Nov. 28, DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the agency “condemns any depiction that disrespects persons with disabilities.”
“Ang anumang uri ng diskriminasyon, sa pelikula man, sa media, o sa komunidad, ay hindi natin dapat tino-tolerate,” Dumlao added.
The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), an attached agency of the DSWD, also issued a separate statement criticizing the film’s portrayal of disability.
“Such portrayal directly violates the principles of dignity, respect, and inclusion as mandated under Republic Act 7277 (Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities), RA 9442, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Films or media content that use disability as a punchline, insult, or form of mockery reinforce stigma and harmful stereotypes, barriers that the disability sector continues to fight against,” the NCDA said in its social media post.
Actress and comedian Kim Molina, meanwhile, suggested that critics should watch the film first before making judgments amid mounting backlash.
