Bontoc, Mountain Province – Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., assured the inclusion of more programs or projects that could be implemented to make it easier for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to engage in the mainstream of society.
In observance of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week on July 17-23, 2022, the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) through the Municipal Disability Affairs Office (MDAO) has initiated line-up activities for the PWDs in the capital town.
According to Municipal Disability Affairs Officer Maria Codeo, the PWDs participated in the consultation and orientation of relevant laws in the promotion of PWDs’ welfare and underwent Training on Dishwashing, Fabcon, and Soap Making in July 18-19, 2022, at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol auditorium.
Codeo explained that aside from the training, the organized PWDs in the 16 barangays of Bontoc will receive one starter kit for Dishwashing, Fabcon, and Soap Making as they are targeting to market their products in their respective barangays. The income will be included as seed capital for the respective organizations should they venture into other livelihood or income-generating projects.
Aside from these activities, the PWDs received their PWD IDs and Purchase Booklets for them to avail of the Magna Carta (for Persons with Disabilities).
Notable among these are 20% discounts for the purchase of medicine, dental services, food services at restaurants, and transportation fares. Also, they are qualified to avail of the 5% discount on the purchase of basic commodities and non-inclusion of the 12% VAT.
Mayor Tudlong lauded the commitment of Codeo and the organized PWDs in every barangay for their unity in having one voice to assert their rights as stipulated in the Magna Carta (for Persons with Disabilities) and develop their personal capacities.
The mayor believes that the PWDs are one of the sectors of society that should not be left behind but instead be given equal opportunity. Thus, he assured the full support of the Bontoc LGU for the improvement of the well-being of the PWDs in the municipality and their integration into the mainstream of society.
Per record from the MDAO, there are 723 PWDs in Bontoc and their names were inputted into the Philippine Registry System.
Types of disability include deaf or hard of hearing, intellectual disability, learning disability, mental disability, orthopedic disability, physical disability, psychosocial disability, speech, and language impairment, and visual disability.
The NDPR Week is observed every July 17-23 of every year pursuant to Proclamation No. 1870 (1970), as amended by Proclamation No. 361 (2000) and Administrative Order No. 35 (2002). The weeklong event is being commemorated annually to stimulate public awareness of the issues and problems of disability, thereby encouraging every citizen of the country to take active responsibility in the upliftment of the economic and social conditions of all PWDs in the society.
The theme for this year’s observance is “Working with Government in Achieving Equal Access to Education, Employment and Livelihood towards Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities”.**Alpine L. Killa- Malwagay, Bontoc LGU
