Joint Conference for VisMin Regional Committees on Disability Affairs

The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) recently held the 3rd joint conference of the Regional Committee on Disability Affairs (RCDA).

About 40 participants from Regions VI, NIR, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, CARAGA and ARMM joined the conference.

With the theme, “Bringing Programs and Services to the Grassroots” the event aims to adopt and implement the Incheon Strategy to “Make the Right Real” for Persons with Disabilities which is figured out from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

ESCAP mandate is to foster cooperation among its 53 members including the Philippines and 9 associate members. It provides the strategic regional link between global and country-level programs and issues.

The conference was represented by the Department of Health (DOH), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Persons with Disability (PWD) Organization, Local Government Units (LGUs), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Education (DepEd).

The members discussed the Gallery of Good Practices which the group has embraced.

The DOH highlighted about the Inclusive Health Governance: Localizing Health and Wellness and Rehabilitation Services. TESDA presented the Accessible Skills Training Program for Persons with Disability.

DOLE discussed its Local Employment Promotion for Persons with Disability by Capacitating PESO towards Inclusive Job Fairs and Employment of PWDs; and DSWD talked about the Auxiliary Social Services Assistive Devices and Assistance to PWD in Crisis Situation. The DPWH presented the Capacity Building of LGUs in Accessibility Audits during the panel discussion.

Ms. Carmen R. Zubiga Officer in Charge of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) urged the participants to ensure continual implementation of the sustainable development goal of the PWD and apply the 10 Goals of Incheon Strategy as follows: First, Reduce poverty and enhance work and employment prospects. Second, Promote participation in political processes and in decision-making. Third, Enhance access to the physical environment, public transportation, knowledge, information and communication. Fourth, Strengthen social protection. Fifth, Expand early intervention and education of children with disabilities. Sixth, Ensure gender equality and women’s empowerment. Seventh, Ensure disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction and management. Eight, Improve the reliability and comparability of disability data. Ninth, Accelerate the ratification and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and information of national legislation with the Convention and the tenth, Advance sub regional, regional and inter-regional cooperation.