Mandaue marks National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week

 
THE Mandaue City government kicked off the celebration of 39th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week yesterday at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

The event was attended by persons with disabilities (PWDs) from all over the city. In her speech, Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD-7) Regional Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre mentioned some of the laws that protect the rights of PWDs including the right to respect their human dignity, the same and equal civil and political rights, and access to public transportation, among others.

“Gone are the days when we say ‘he is pitiful’ whenever we see a PWD. If we see PWDs we would immediately say ‘he’s going to ask alms again. But not now anymore,’” Macapobre said.

She said there are already many laws now that protect the rights of PWDs.

Macapobre also called on the parents to develop the skills and potentials of their PWD children.

In his inspirational message delivered by Councilor Jun del Mar, Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing referred the PWDs of the city as “valuable assets” and that their presence signifies that all of them believe in their capabilities and that they should not think that they are less capable and less deserving because of their physical limitations.

Activities lined up for the NDPR Week  July 17 to 23 with the theme “Karapatan at Pribilehiyo ng Maykapansanan, Isakatuparan at Ipaglaban” include PWD Laws Forum at Dohera Hotel on July 20, disaster risk reduction and management orientation and self rescue training on July 21, culminating activity on July 22, PWD chapter presidents agency visit on July 24, PWD One Stop Shop on July 25, and Sportsfest and Larong Pinoy on July 26.

During the opening program, the city’s Social Welfare department also gave recognition to the PWD athletes who won in international competitions, such as the Hong Kong International Para Dragonboat Championships and 9th Special Olympics Singapore National Games, both held last May.

Moreover, an initial four units of sewing machines were turned over by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD-7) for the PWDs from Barangays Pagsabungan, Ibabao-Estancia, Cabancalan and Tabok who have already completed their training on sewing.

“This is to encourage other barangays to send their PWDs to training as well,” said Joseph Jumantoc, officer-in-charge of the Office of Differently-Abled Persons Affairs (Odapa) and Mandaue PWD federation president.

Currently, there are around 3,800 PWDs who are registered with Odapa.

The members of Odapa receive financial aid worth P2,000 every year and mortuary aid for the family of a deceased PWD amounting to P2,000.