Persons with disabilities (PWDs), it’s their week ! The Regional Council on Disability Affairs (RCDA) leads in the celebration of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week which kicked off Monday, July 17, 2017. In the launching spearheaded by the Tacloban City Social Welfare and Development Office (one of the member – agencies), DSWD O.I.C.-Assistant Regional Director, Marlene Kahano, calls on everyone to support the cause of persons with disabilities. She also cites the exemplary talents of PWDs, emphasizing that what able-bodied persons can, they, too, can ! Meanwhile, Regional Federation of Persons with Disabilities President, Jennifer Anacio, strongly defends their rights and adds that they, too, can contribute to the development of the country, if given equal rights and opportunities. Anacio is a City Councilor of Borongan City in Eastern Samar province. The first day was marked with a Holy Mass at the Sacred Heart Church in Tacloban, followed by a motorcade, and ended with a consultation – dialogue at the Robinson’s Place – Tacloban. PWD Focal Person, Ben Calzado, of the DSWD announces in the opening day that activities will be conducted not only for a week but close to a month. “Pursuant to Proclamation No. 361 (2000), as amended by Administrative Order No. 35 (2002), the nation is commemorating the 39th National Disability and Prevention (NDPR) Week with the theme “Karapatan Pribelehiyo ng Maykapansanan: Isakatuparan at Ipaglaban”, which focuses on the realization of the fundamental freedoms and rights of persons with disabilities,as provided for in existing international mandates and national laws.” The DSWD is chair of the RCDA. #DSWDMayMalasakit