Pedmar Casero, 35, of Brgy. Tabgas, Albuera, Leyte is the President of Tabgas Persons with Disability Association. But, his responsibility does not end with their organization.
Casero, who grew up with arm deformities and stunted growth, is also a Kalahi-CIDSS volunteer in their community where he works as a bodegero and timekeeper for the construction of their Community Evacuation Center expected to be inaugurated this year.
“Bisan ug PWD naa jud gihapon koy mabuhat ug matabang” [In spite of being a person with disability, I know I can do something to help].
Last week, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) including Kalahi-CIDSS and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) celebrated the 38th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week.
This year’s theme, “Karapatan ng May kapansanan, Isakatuparan … Now Na!.” focuses on the realization of the fundamental freedom and rights of persons with disabilities and the promotion of principles and concepts of inclusive development for them.
Kalahi-CIDSS as a Community-Driven Development program also advocates for the mainstreaming of disability agenda which is integrated within its objectives of community empowerment and processes.