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[av_heading heading=’Capitol, agencies helping PWDs’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
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SAN JOSE, Antique – Several agencies and the provincial government are offering services catering to persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Representatives from the capitol, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), among others, recently gathered at a forum here in support of PWDs and in observance of the 12th Celebral Palsy Awareness and Protection Week.
The provincial government has allotted P2 million for the Provincial Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), Gov. Rhodora Cadiao said.
“It is our desire to see you start your own business or get employed,” said Cadiao. “Just let us know of your needs through your PDAO organization or your Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.”
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Larry Petinglay assured they are doing their best to provide access to PWDs so they become productive and are free to express themselves and treated with dignity.
Tesda’s Jocelyn Gelpe explained the skills training program scholarship that disabled persons may avail themselves of, while DOLE’s Donnabel Baldonado discussed the agency’s livelihood programs.
The Philippine Information Agency; PhilHealth; Provincial Health Office; Philippine Coast Guard; University of Antique, representing Commission on Higher Education; Antique Integrated School, representing Department of Education; and Advance Central College tackled their respective programs and services.
Dolores Laudenorio, PWD consultant in Regions 6 and 18, commended the capitol and the agencies for giving all-out support to PWDs.
The PWD representative at the National Anti-Poverty Commission also stressed the need to fully implement the Magna Carta for PWDs.
Barangay and municipal officials must have a complete list of PWDs in their jurisdictions, she said during the forum at Robinsons Place on Sept. 22.
PWDs must be registered and given identification cards so they could avail themselves of 20-percent discount in medicines and fares, and 5-percent discount in basic necessities and prime commodities, she said. (PIA/PN)
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