Davao City – “The Department commends our local government units that have been consistently initiating programs to push the welfare and rights of our persons with disability (PWDs) especially during the annual observance of the PWD Week every July.  Their efforts have definitely contributed in further advocating in their locality appreciation and respect for our PWDs,” said Director Priscilla N. Razon of DSWD.

The success of every PWD depends a lot on the kind of support extended by the local government. Hence, the consistent boost of these LGUs makes a big difference to the lives of the PWDs. For our part, we are here to continue providing opportunities to our PWDs and other disadvantaged groups to make them productive and self-sustaining members in their community as we as well pursue our mandate of capacitating our local social welfare officers, said Director Razon.

Chaired by DSWD, the Regional Council on Disability Affairs (RCDA) leads the regional celebration of the 37^th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week from July 17-23 under the theme, “Health and Wellness Opportunities for Persons With Disabilities Towards an Inclusive Development for All”.

Provinces, municipalities and cities in the region highlight the observance with several activities.

For Davao City, the City Council on Disability Affairs (CCDA) in coordination with RCDA, spearheads the following events: Motorcade, Reading of the Weeklong Activity by the VIP Sector, Forum on PWD Health and Wellness, Hanging of Streamers, Awarding of the Search for Outstanding PWDs in Mindanao, Thanksgiving Mass, Family Fun Fair with PWDs, Cultural Show and Sayawitan Plus, Product and Services Exhibit, Responsible Parenting Skills of Parents of Children with Disabilities, Forum & Orientation on EO417, Sportsfest for Children and Adults, Diabetes Screening – Self Assessment Questionaire – Fasting/Random Blood Sugar – Diet Counseling, Issuance of PWD Certificate of Disability, Heath & Wellness Education, Training on Simple Bookkeeping and Business Capability Enhancement for PWDs, Basic Sign Language Training, Free Massage by VIP Masseurs, Employers’ Forum on RA 9442 and RA 10524, and COMELEC Special Registration.

The events will be held in separate venues -City Hall, Rizal Park, SM City Annex, DOH, St. Paul Parish, NCCC Mall, SP Building, Almendras Gym, University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), Davao City National High School (DCNHS), Grand Men Seng Hotel, and Loring’s Resto.

Other participating groups are the City Social Services and Development Office, DS Foundation, Association of Differently-Abled Persons, Traffic Management Center, PNP, DILG, DOH, Behind the Rolling Chair, BBMC-Project SELP Davao, SpEd Rizal, Parents’ Mobilization Action Group, All Barangays, UCCP, USEP, DCNHS, City Health Office, PHARM, Davao Doctor’s College, Davao Jubilee Foundation, Southern Philippines Medical Center, PBKFI, Dr. Luchie Aportadera, Dr. Teofilo Dela Cruz, DOLE, Rene Cortez, VIP Association, CHR, TESDA, PWD Association, and COMELEC. (DSWD)