Province Celebrates 4th PWD Month, Urges Respect for PWD Rights

More than 300 persons with disabilities (PWD) from different towns and cities in Cebu province joined hands at the Capitol grounds Tuesday, July 4 to formally open the 4th PWD Month Celebration.

“We gather every year to remind not only the government, as well as the people, to respect the rights of people with disabilities,” said Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, one of the activity’s honored guests.

Being one of the organizers of Capitol’s Paglaum Scholarship Program, Magpale said some PWDs are scholars in the said program this school year.

The activity started with a caravan of PWD associations from 24 Cebu local government units starting from Fuente Osmeña Rotunda up to Capitol grounds where a short program was held.

During the program, Provincial Board PWD Committee chair Yolanda Daan officially declared the start of PWD month with this year’s theme, “Karapatan at Pribilehiyo ng Maykapansanan: Isakatuparan at Ipaglaban.”

PWD associations from five component cities and 19 towns composed the program audience, wearing their respective colored uniforms.

Municipality of Carmen PWD officer Howald Hope Peralta III and Cordova’s Cora Clarin were the program emcees. Carcar City focal person Ronald Resurreccion rendered a song number entitled Bulag, Pipi at Bingi by Fredie Aguilar.

Authored by the late PB member Arleigh Sitoy, Cebu Provincial Ordinance 2011-2 Section 1, declared the month of July of every year as “Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Month” in Cebu.

Section 2 of the Ordinance provides, “the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) shall spearhead series of activities that would highlight the effort of the Cebu Provincial Government towards stimulating public awareness of and interest in all matters pertaining to persons with disabilities.”

Section 2 further provides that this office will continue to serve this function until such time that the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) is created in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 10070.

“Maka-relate gyud ko, kung mosaka kita sa stairs nga walay railings, mosud sa building nga walay ramp, so now our hospitals have ramps,” Provincial Health Office (PHO) representative Dr. Abegail Fortich said in her message of support before the audience.

Fortich in her short message revealed that she has a 9-year old PWD child.

PSWDO focal person Myra Tansingco announced PWD medical missions in the following districts: July 7 in Cordova for District 1 and 6, July 10 in Danao City for District 5, July 11 in Balamban for District 3, July 12 in Bogo City for District 4, July 13 in Dalaguete for the 2nd district, and July 14 in Alcantara for 7th district.

She said that simultaneous with the medical mission is the orientation of PWD rights.

She also invited all PWDs in an exhibition of their works in Ayala Center Cebu from July 17 to 22.

PWDs will gather once again for the PWD Summit on July 31 at the Capitol Social Hall.

cebu.gov.ph