It’s not over yet for Tacloban City in giving special attention to persons with disabilities, even as the whole country has celebrated the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation last week (July 17 to 23).
Spearheading this 32nd national event in the region, the Regional Council on Disability Affairs (RCDA), of which the City Social Welfare and Development Office of Tacloban is a member, is currently holding another week of more meaningful activities.
Close to two hundred persons with disabilities, special children, mothers of autistic kids, as well as representatives of RCDA member-agencies, joined in the whole-day celebration last July 26, starting with a holy mass at the Sto. Niño Church, a motorcade around the city, and the Persons with Disabilities Day Fun Day at the Balyuan Convention Hall. Also held at the same convention hall was a Forum on Early Detection and Intervention of Autism and other Developmental Disabilities, as well as Batas Pambansa Bilang 334 or the Accessibility Law.
Ben Calzado, focal person of the program for persons with disabilities of the DSWD Field Office Eight, talked in same forum on the setting up of Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) in every province, city, and municipality. He said the newly-enacted Republic Act 10070 mandates that the mayor or governor should select a person with disability who has the leadership potentials and the ability to manage the PDAO. The appointee shall be tasked to formulate and implement policies and programs pursuant to the provisions of RA 10070, including Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 or the Accessibility Law and other relevant disability laws.
RA 10070 is otherwise known as or “An Act Establishing an Institutional Mechanism to Ensure the Implementation of Programs and Services for Persons with Disabilities in Every Province, City and Municipality,” amending Republic Act 7277 otherwise Known as the “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons,”
The DSWD Field Office Eight, under Regional Director Leticia Corillo, sits as head of the RCDA. Said Corillo, the nationwide observance has become instrumental in promoting the plight of persons with disabilities, and advancing disability concerns. She expressed her hope that the community, as well as private and public sectors, will help one another in promoting a barrier-free society for persons with disabilities.
The DSWD regional chief was not only referring to the accessibility of persons with disabilities in buildings, establishments, and public utilities, but also to quality education, employment, health benefits, and in all other aspects of life. “That way, it would be easier for them to be integrated into the mainstream of society, and be self-reliant,” Corillo emphasized.
Lady engineer Rosario Margallo of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region Eight, which office is tasked to monitor the implementation of the Accessibility Law, reported that her agency has been conducting orientations and other advocacy activities on the said law, as well as access audits on public and private buildings for public use, and public utilities.
The Accessibility Law also includes public transport vehicles.
Meanwhile, the City of Tacloban launched the posting of advocacy stickers in public utility vehicles on Tuesday, July 27, at Real Street (in the vicinity of St. Therese Child Development Center) in Tacloban City. City Councilor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez led the ceremonial posting. The sticker reads, “Vacate this seat for Person with Disability.”
Last week, the DSWD Field Office Eight held a massive information campaign by way of a guesting at the “Express-It-At-The-Park” Media Forum at the Leyte Park Hotel, together with representatives of RCDA member-agencies. There was also a series of radio interviews in three radio stations in the city.