SAN JOSE, Antique – The search is on for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in this province who have proven heroic acts amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.
Paulo Castillo, head of the Provincial Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) under the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, said the “Search for PWD COVID-19 Heroes” is part of their 42nd National Disability Prevention (NDPR) Week celebration.
“The PWD COVID-19 heroes are those who, despite their disabilities, were still able to help others in crisis, especially during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in this province for a month starting last March 16,” said Castillo.
The NDPR Week celebration runs from July 13 to July 24.
Nomination forms have been distributed to municipal social welfare and development offices and PDAO focal persons. These forms are to be completed and submitted to the PDAO located in this capital town on or before July 15.
Castillo said the awarding will take stage during their closing program at the PDAO on July 24.
All nominees will receive certificates while PDAO is still determining the prizes to be given to the winner.
As part of the celebration also, the Community-Based Inclusive Development Therapy Center that will cater to zero to six-year-old children with orthopedic problems in need of therapy will be inaugurated on July 21.
“The free therapy session of clients who are children of indigent families will be scheduled,” Castillo said.
Some 80 wheelchairs from the Department of Health (DOH) will also be distributed to their target recipients on the same day.
The wheelchairs from the Integrated Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Program of DOH-6 were given as part of the promotion of the health and wellness program.
This province currently has 13,000 PWDs registered with the PDAO. (With a report from PNA/PN)
