SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – Thirty individuals were given a new lease on life on January 28 as they received brand-new wheelchairs during the Mobility for Dignity program held at Bacnotan Central School in Bacnotan, La Union.
This collaborative effort by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) La Union, Rotary Club of Manila 101, the Wheelchair Foundation, and Chair the Love aims to restore independence and dignity to people with mobility impairments.
Beneficiaries included senior citizens, children, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) from Agoo, San Fernando City, Luna, Bangar, Bacnotan, and Sudipen.
PRC La Union Director Peter Paul Nang highlighted the program’s deeper purpose, emphasizing community resilience and empowerment.
“One of the most important things for the Philippine Red Cross is building resilient communities. What this means is that we aspire for communities to be able to stand and take care of themselves,” Nang said.
Nang added that the recipients of the wheelchairs can now not only move and care for themselves but also engage in work and livelihood activities.
Chair the Love Executive Director Augie Byllott, meanwhile, said that the wheelchair offers more than mobility—it’s a gateway to reconnecting with family, work, and the community.
“A wheelchair can open a door to possibilities. What you believe in your heart as possible, you can make possible,” Byllott said, inspiring recipients to embrace life’s challenges with renewed determination.
Who can apply?
The Mobility for Dignity program is open to Filipino and non-Filipino residents who meet the following criteria:
- Economically disadvantaged individuals;
- Persons with disabilities or injuries affecting mobility; and
- Adults with special mobility needs.
How to apply
Applicants need to submit:
- A valid ID;
- A 4R-sized whole-body photo;
- A certificate of indigency; and
- A medical certificate recommending a wheelchair.
The selection process involves initial screening by the chapter’s Welfare Service team, verification by PRC and its partners, and final notification of beneficiaries, ensuring fair and equitable distribution.
Transforming lives through mobility
By restoring physical mobility, the program empowers recipients to regain their independence and self-worth, while also enabling them to reconnect with family, community, and work opportunities.
Genaro Coloma, a 43-year-old beneficiary from Sudipen, shared how the wheelchair is helping him rebuild his life and provide for his family.
“I want to say thank you to all our sponsors, to all who helped make the awarding possible, because a lot of people benefitted from this awarding today. This wheelchair is helpful to me in my repair work,” Coloma said.
Wheelchairs for lasting change
The Mobility for Dignity program showcases the power of partnerships in addressing social challenges, creating lasting change, and empowering individuals to lead more meaningful lives.
For more information on the program and how to apply, visit the PRC La Union Chapter Facebook page (Philippine Red Cross – La Union Chapter), email [email protected], or call/text 0920 915 3798. (AMB/CCMT, PIA La Union)
