BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan reiterated his claim that the city government does not tolerate discrimination of any kind and that everybody should be treated equally no matter what their circumstances are in life.
The Mayor made this assertion during the program of the Summer Capital’s celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Monday at the City Hall grounds before hundreds of officers, members and volunteers from various PWD organizations including city officials, employees and guests.
Domogan cited the continuous contribution of the PWD sector towards the city’s growth and development. He praised them for not letting their disabilities prevent them from reaching their dreams and becoming productive citizens of society.
Councilor Arthur Allad-iw, chair of the city council’s committee on PWDs, echoed the Mayor’s sentiment as he also pushed for the full implementation of the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons and other laws protecting the rights of PWDs.
With the theme, “Empowering Persons with Disabilities and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equaility”, the program was preceded by a parade that started 8 am from Upper Session Road to the City Hall area.
Baguio City Federation of PWDs president John Paredes and PWD Affairs Officer II Samuel Aquino said the theme reminds everyone to join hands together in putting forward the cause of PWDs and in empowering them towards the realization of an inclusive, equitable and meaningful participation in society envisioned in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3 that aims to promote the rights and well-being of PWDs in all spheres of society and development, and increase awareness of their situation in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.**gaby keith
