Meeting of PWD officers from different barangays in San Pedro City, Laguna, during the observance of 2023 National Disaster Prevention and Rehabilitation Week. (FILE PHOTO/PWD Association of San Pedro)
CALAMBA CITY (PIA) – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in CALABARZON are calling on all local government units to include Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in their disaster risk reduction and management plans, emphasizing the need for inclusive and data-driven strategies for the sector.
In a meeting by the Regional Council for Disability Affairs, DSWD assistant regional director for operations Mylah Gatchalian stressed that local DRRM councils should include their respective Persons with Disability Affairs Offices (PDAO) to ensure that the interests and primary concerns of PWDs are represented when crafting disaster resiliency measures.
“It’s important that we mainstream discussions and the interest of PWDs because that is how we operationalize our plans. We should start from the Provincial and Municipal levels, down to the barangays, so that when the data reaches the CALABARZON RDRRMC, we can check if the PWDs are accounted for,”
Gatchalian added: “As we have experienced in typhoon Aghon, senior citizens and PWDs should be prioritized in pre-emptive evacuation.”
Reyan Derrick Marquez, OCD CALABARZON’s DRRM Division chief, emphasized that as the first responders during disasters and emergencies, barangays must also ensure that their DRRM plans comprehensively address the needs of PWDs.
“Let us not forget to capacitate the LGUs and the barangays as the first responders during disasters, to ensure that they can implement our plans at the local level.”
As part of its commitment to ensuring evacuation facilities are inclusive and PWD-friendly, the CALABARZON RDRRMC has begun auditing the provisions for PWDs in temporary shelters.
Marquez added: “Especially if the disability is related to mental health, they are more affected because, first, they cannot evacuate on their own, and they have special needs and facilities that must be included in evacuation centers.”
DSWD IV-A has assured individuals that they conduct stress debriefing and counseling sessions, especially for those directly ravaged by calamities. (PB/PIA 4A)
