DAET, Camarines Norte (PIA) – The provincial government of Camarines Norte has opened a kiosk to showcase the products made by persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Gov. Ricarte Padilla announced that the kiosk is part of a program aimed at empowering PWDs, who are an “essential part of society's development and should not be neglected.”

Padilla pledged to provide seed capital for the program and will make it an institutionalized initiative.

“The program is called Scaling-up Capacities of Community-based Enterprises for the Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, and it was funded by the provincial government with a sum of P230,000,” Dr. Rex Bernardo, head of the Provincial Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), said.

The PWDs initially displayed tote bags in the kiosk. 

“We will put one sewing machine and a sewer in the kiosk to produce sample designs of tote bags,” Bernardo said. 

The tote bags were actually produced in the respective houses of PWDs.

The Department of Labor and Employment provided the sewing machines, heat press, and other materials, amounting to P350,000.

The Project Inclusion Network pledged to support the marketing of tote bags in Manila, while the Camarines Norte State College offered technical assistance and needs analysis.

The PDAO is currently working on obtaining necessary permits and tax exemptions from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in compliance with government regulations.

As part of the disability inclusion, we will hire able-bodied sewers to assist with production during high demands, Bernardo said.

Bernardo said they are planning to put a T-shirt and mug printing in the kiosk.   

According to him, the provincial government has also allocated college scholarships specifically for PWDs.

Henry Bustamante, the chairperson of the PWD Credit Cooperative, encouraged his fellow PWDs to take advantage of the government programs and avail themselves of the scholarships provided by the provincial government.

"To my fellow PWDs, we should go out and be involved and avail ourselves of the programs of the government,” Bustamante said. 

To benefit from the livelihood programs, PWDs can join the cooperative.

We also extend membership to PWDs relatives and advocates, Bustamante said. 

The inauguration of the kiosk was led by P3PWD Rep. Ma. Rowena Amelia Guanzon, who emphasized the importance of inclusivity and empowerment, and how such initiatives can significantly improve the lives of PWDs.

The kiosk is located beside the PDAO at the Capitol compound. (PIA 5/Camarines Norte)