Over 1,500 persons with disability (PWD) gathered at the Mendoza Park Wednesday for the 41st National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation week celebration.
Jesebell Ann Dihayco, administrative clerk of the Person’s with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), said the large number of participants during the opening ceremonies showed the cooperation of the different barangays in Puerto Princesa City.
Dihayco said that the weeklong activity will have a medical and dental mission, and a birth and marriage certificate registration for PWDs.
The PWD week has the theme: “Lokal na Pamahalaan: Kabalikat sa Pagtupad ng Karapatan ng mga Taong may Kapansanan.”
The PDAO and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) also distributed assistive devices like wheelchairs to selected PWD beneficiaries.
“Ang 41st National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation week celebration ay matagal na talagang isinasagawa ‘yan dahil may law na nga tayo tungkol dito. Ito ‘yong Proclamation 361 na nag-declare na ang third week ng July ay nakalaan para dito at in commemoration na rin sa ating bayani na si Apolinario Mabini, ang sublime paralytic,” Dihayco said.
She said that the event is aimed to promote awareness for PWDs.
Dihayco also urged the PWDs to go to their office if they need assistance and training which they can offer.
“Sa ating mga PWDs, huwag po sana tayong mahiyang lumapit sa ating tanggapan dahil tutulong kami. May mga training kami na makakatulong po sa inyo na magagamit nyo sa pangkabuhayan kasi hindi naman laging may ibang taong andyan. Lagi ko ngang sinasabi sa kanila kaya nilang mag-stand alone, na kaya ninyo at hindi kayo aasa kasi nga magkakaiba tayo maaaring may kaya ako na hindi nyo kaya, pero may kaya rin kayo na hindi natin kaya” Dihayco said.
Other activities include intermediate sign language training, Special Olympics booth, accessibility audit on major universities and buildings, PWD rights and privileges seminar, hair cut training, skills training, orientation and awareness forum and medical screenings for persons with intellectual disability.
The event will continue until July 23.
