PWD forum, competition to highlight disability week in Kalinga

By Geraldine G. Dumallig

Friday 20th of July 2012

TABUK CITY, Kalinga, July 20 (PIA) -- A forum on breaking barriers for persons and disabilities (PWDs) and friendly competitions highlight the observance of the 34th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week in the province spearheaded by Provincial Committee for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (PCWDP).

With the theme, “Mainstreaming Persons with Disabilities in Economic Development,“ this year’s celebration aims to promote the full employment of persons with disabilities and to tackle barriers and gaps, facilitate stakeholders’ cooperation, develop innovative approaches, and support human rights-based initiatives for the economic development of persons with disabilities.

Through Proclamation No. 361 and amended by Administrative Order No. 35 issued in 2002, the week-long is from July 17 to 23. On July 23, the birthdate of the Sublime Paralytic, Apolinario Mabini, who became the icon for Filipino PWDs for his great contribution in Philippine history.

However, the PCWDP is extending the commemoration with two more days of activities dubbed, “Breaking Barriers for Persons with Disability,” from July 25 to 26 to be participated by PWDs in the province.

Activities on July 25 include a short program, followed by a forum on breaking barriers for PWDs with Department of Social Welfare and Development-Cordillera Assistant Regional Director Isabel Sy-Nillas as the main speaker and lecturer.

In the afternoon will be the "Breaking Barriers through Self and Social Enhancement" program highlighted with a talents and skills competition on dancing, poster making, and singing among PWDs from the different municipalities. A demonstration on therapeutic massage will also be featured by PWD Technical Education and Skills Development Authority students.

July 26 will be a committee strategic planning among the PWD focal persons and the PCWDP members. Planning will be focused on the implementation of the Magna Carta for PWDs in the province.

Other activities include a special radio broadcast by members of the PCWDP members from July 23-24, and an Inter-SPED (Special Education) class competition among children with special needs by Department of Education Kalinga division on July 27th.(JDP/GGD-PIA CAR, Kalinga)