TUBOD, Lanao del Norte (PIA)-- Some 42 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in this province received customized wheelchairs and artificial legs or prosthetics from the provincial government at the Provincial Capitol Lobby on January 9.

Governor Imelda 'Angging' Quibranza-Dimaporo led the distribution of said restorative devices, 32 customized wheelchairs, and 10 artificial legs, to recipients coming from 10 municipalities.

This yearly initiative of the provincial government and implementation by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) aims to give the PWD sector the help they require and to make them feel supported and loved by assisting them in achieving the greatest improvements in their physical residual capacities.

In her message, Dimpaoro lauded the efforts of the PSWDO and underscored the importance of peace and unity for better service delivery to the people. She also stated that the doors of the provincial capitol are always open for all, for it exists for the people.
"Kami dinhi sa probinsya, kung unsa among makaya na ihatag sa atong mga kaigsuonan, paningkamutan namo mahatag, muduol lang kamo sa atong mga departamento [We, here in the province, will strive to give what we can to our fellow residents. Feel free to approach our departments]," she said.

Meanwhile, Rogelio Villaruz, a resident of Lapinig, Kapatagan, was very happy to receive his new artificial legs because he can now easily carry out his daily activities.

"Sa ngalan sa mga parehas namo nga mga disabled, naay kapansanan, dako kaayo among pasalamat sa imoha Gov ug sa kini na programa sa PSWDO [On behalf of fellow individuals with disabilities who have impairments, we are very grateful to you, Governor, and to this program of the PSWDO]," he said.

The provincial government annually allocates the budget for PWDs in the province through the proposals submitted by PSWDO in coordination with the respective Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices of the different towns.

Aside from the assistive devices, the beneficiaries also received 10 kilos of rice and Christmas food packs each. Prior to the distribution, the recipients also sang a birthday song to the governor, who will be celebrating her birthday next week.

"Hinaot hatagan pa ka og kahimsog sa panlawas ug kusog alang sa pagserbisyo sa atong probinsya, ilabina sa among sektor sa PWD [We hope you are granted good health and strength to serve our province, especially the PWD sector]," Allan Rosario, one of the recipients of customized wheelchairs, said. (PIO-LDN/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)