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A grandmother on a wheelchair cradles her grand daughter as she is pushed by her husband during the PWD march in Laua-an in celebration of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week Photo by Peter Songcayawon
Sa Istrukturang Accessible, Lahat ay Able (With Accessible Structures, Everyone is Able). As the theme of this years NDPR week celebration, emphasis is again made on the importance of making physical structures accessible. This is nothing new since as early as 1983, an Accessibility Law (BP 344) was already passed to enhance the mobility of persons with disabilities (PWD) by requiring buildings and public utilities to install accessible features. There has been considerable progress since then but many structures including government offices have remained inaccessible which pose as barriers to the participation of PWD in society. Why is this so? There is a long list of reasons for this but one of the
most basic is that during the planning and design phase of a structure, we often tend to forget to include PWD as one of the legitimate users. The realization only sits in when a PWD tries to use the facility and end up not being able to use it or when a regular user of that structure experiences some form of disability and cannot anymore use the facility because it is not accessible. So what can we do? We should go back to basics and make sure that PWD are really included in our plans and not just treated as add-ons. After all, accessibility is a right! And you can do your share to make sure that PWD get it so they can continue their march towards inclusion. [J. Rom]
The NDPR Week Celebration highlight in Laua-an was held on July 19 participated by 221 PWD and their families, Association of PWD in Laua-an (APILA) officers, CBR workers and LGU officials. Municipal engineer May Chierel Mustacho gave the keynote speech. The program was hosted by CBR Coordinator Delia Espenido. Mayor Baladjay, Vice-Mayor Necor, SB Baldestamon and some department heads were also present. All the officials who spoke during the activity expressed their full support to the CBR Program and to APILA. APILA officers and CBR workers facilitated games such as wheel chair race and dance contest that were very much enjoyed by PWD and their families. They also distributed bookmarks as information and communication materials and displayed activity pictures and accessibility documents as part of awarenessraising. The municipality of Barbaza held its NDPR Week highlight on July 20 at the municipal covered court participated by 140 PWD and their families, Day Care workers and Mayor Faith Francisco. There were 61 persons who joined the parade around the town square. After the preliminaries, Mayor Francisco inducted the newly elected DPO officers and gave her message of support to the DPO and CBR team. She also thanked HI for its support and the CBR team for working hard. The CBR team presented their play on the entry of CBR in the municipality. The plot unfolds as they interpret the song Maghintay Ka Lamang with the transformation of a person with speech impairment to become one that is empowered and included in the society. Elmar Villaganas, HI Prosthesis Technician, shared information on the referral system for prosthesis clients. Cindy Blasurca, HI Community Organizer, also gave a short message on the NDPR theme mentioning the 4 elements of accessibility reach, enter, circulate, and use and some CBR principles that include empowerment, inclusion, self-advocacy, equal opportunities, accessibility and sustainability. There were also activities intended to promote inclusion and camaraderie among PWD. There were singing contest, longest line, wheelchair race, funny walking and dance competition. Everyone had genuine fun and the event kindled the hope in their hearts that the PWD sector is given the attention it deserves by the LGU and other development groups.
APILA members, CBR team, and supporters of PWD in Laua-an assemble before the yearly parade in celebration of the NDPR week.
Newly elected DPO officers of Barbaza with Mayor Faith Francisco (rightmost) after the induction ceremonies
The CBR team of Laua-an pose in front of their CBR photo exhibit.
BY JoNathaN LUmogdaNg
The CBR team of Barbaza was in full force during the NDPR celebration.
The UMWAD Project through Local Government Units and Disabled Peoples Organizations is in process to conduct an organizational capability assessment (OCA) of each DPO. It is designed to assess their performance as well as their capacities in carrying out projects and activities and effective advocates of their rights. The OCA is an approach to be more responsive to the organizational and project needs of the DPO. Under this strategy, we endeavour to provide baseline information needed to develop strengthening capacities of DPO to implement projects. It will serve as a learning tool for DPO and project team to deepen the understanding of the mission of the organization.
OCA consists of 4 key areas of concerns, namely: DPO involvement in the local governance, DPO organizational project management capability, lobbying and advocacy of human rights, and DPO institutional autonomy. All these are being targeted for assessment and development of possible capability-building interventions. Individual DPO in all covered municipalities will be visited for a sit down meeting with the officers starting November this year. This activity will facilitate in determining the organizational capability building needs of the different DPO. A series of training programs for DPO will be identified and hopefully, a pilot test of this approach will be started in December 2010. A participatory approach will be adopted in the course of the project implementation.
AT the closing of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week celebration last July, 10 outstanding persons with disabilities were given recognition for the significant roles they have played in society. A speech from Councilor Jeffrey Ganzon during the closing ceremony reminds us how special each one of us is. According to the Book of Genesis, which tells of the creation of Earth, man is special. Man is the only creature who can dream and reach for the stars. Such underscores the contribution of PWD and how they are integrated in the mainstream. These outstanding PWD are proof of their courage as well as of their being equal and at par with the rest of the people. The NDPR celebration may have ended last
Participants of the NDPR celebration in San Dionisio pose after the activity.
July but the recognition of the presence of persons with disabilities continues. Jasper Rom of Handicap International spoke of the importance of accessibility for PWD in order for them to be empowered. Despite the barriers of society, some PWD have achieved so much. How much more if this society is very much inclusive? In the UN Convention on the Rights of PWD, it was stressed that disability happens if PWD interact with the environment that is not inclusive. Thus, if the environment is the one that makes things accessible for these individuals, the impact of disability is minimized. The NDPR Weeks theme was Sa istrukturang accessible, lahat ay able. How true!
Source: News article by Kathy Villalon from The News Today, August 6, 2010.
Bobby Pahayahay (rightmost in blue) of Concepcion, is about to receive his award as one of the Ten Outstanding PWD of Iloilo from OPDA head Dolores Laudenorio (center on wheelchair). Jose Bajada of Batad was also one of the awardees and was represented by his wife (behind Laudenorio)
To Bobby Pahayahay, lifes challenges can be overcome thru sheer hard work. Despite his physical impairment, Bobby is a dynamo who just refuses to budge even in the face of adversity. Born in Narra, Palawan, Bobby transferred to Concepcion, Iloilo with his family when he was 9 years old. Braving through bouts with malaria and rheumatic heart disease which had him bedridden for 6 years, Bobby defied the odds by overcoming these adversities and continuing his schooling and later on taking up courses in Fishery and Electrical Technology at NIPSC. In 1994, Bobby was elected as president of
the PWD association of Concepcion and has since become one of the recognized leaders of PWD in his municipality. He was later appointed as CBR coordinator of Concepcion and has been instrumental in the implementation of CBR activities and in providing support to his fellow PWD. His continuing contribution to making the lives of PWD better was also recognized across the province of Iloilo as he was awarded as one of the outstanding Ilonggos with disabilities for 2010. Bobby now sits as one of the Board of Directors in the Federation of Civil Society Organization and Peoples Organization in the municipality of Concepcion.
Dont ever lose your selfconfidence, fortify your determination so that you will realize your dream. Let us fight for our rights for the betterment of our life. Such are the inspiring words from Corazon Dalumpines, president of the Association of Persons with Disabilities in Laua-an, Antique and outgoing barangay captain of Barangay Liya-liya. Corazon started as member of the NGO - Hublag Evelio in 1987 whose aim was to educate people on how to participate in community activities and how to improve as livelihood. She was later chosen as leader of the organization and used If others can do it, why cant I battlecry to meet the
challenge of leading the organization. Their organization was later renamed as Liya-liya multi-purpose cooperative with her as chairperson. While expanding their cooperative, she became interested in local governance and held the barangay secretary position from 1989-1993 and in 1997 was voted as barangay captain of Liya-liya. Among the notable awards she received are outstanding community leader, empowered woman, gender advocate, outstanding public official, and exemplary performance in the field of social services and environmental protection.
October 6 Antique Provincial Stakeholders Forum October 29 Project Consultative meeting with stakeholders November 12 Iloilo Provincial Stakeholders Forum November 23 Joint Coordination meeting with stakeholders November 24-26 Effective Communication Training December 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities
(L-R) Bobby, Delia, Dionita, Fredelyn, & Rikki Joy are the prime movers of CBR in their municipalities
Held in NIPSC Batad Campus, 64 participants attended the event which was aimed to be the venue of interaction between different agencies concern with regards to persons with disabilities. Budget allocation for PWD & CBR workers in the barangay level became the main issue, in which services and training was not availed because of this concern. The Mayor asked the barangay captains to submit their future barangay development plans to the municipal planning officer to have a comprehensive
planning of CBR program. Councilors made it clear that in their legislative agenda, they will sponsor an ordinance for the CBR to strengthen it. On the other hand, Barangay Captains express their support to the CBR program but adviced the sectoral group that to be able to facilitate the allocations intended for participants fare, PWD or DPO should consider also the time frame of releasing the budget. Mostly if PWD & CBR workers asked about financial assistance, local officials get it from their own pocket to address the immediate need.
BY Edward Ello
Mr. Jasper Rom, UMWAD Project Manager facilitated a CBR training for coordinators and UMWAD project team last August 16-17, 2010 at Max Restaurant, Iloilo City. The training was part of the commitment of Mr. Rom to share his knowledge and skills particularly on CBR after participating in the CBR Training of Trainers at APCD in Bangkok, Thailand last June 7-18, 2010. The highlight of the training was the pre-
sentation and training facilitation of each participant on randomly selected topics related to CBR which were discussed during the training. Mr. Rom then awarded his Pasalubong package which he brought during his international trip to the best presenters during the training. It was fun to know that the participants had learned from the training. They are expected to share the ideas and insights back to their respective communities.
Handicap International (HI) is an independent international aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Working alongside persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups throughout the world, our action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and their fundamental rights. With a network of eight national associations (USA, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and UK), Handicap International, founded in 1982 and co-recipient of the Nobel Peace prize in 1997, has programs in 60 countries and acts in both emergency and development situations. Project Manager: Jasper Rom; Inclusive Local Devt. Officer: Edward Ello; Field Administrative Assistant: Sheila Arroyo; Training Officer: Jonathan Lumogdang, Community Organizers: Cindy Blasurca, Jayrose Plana, Raphy Imperial; Driver: Lyndon Fontiveros; Office keeper: Rosie Pernia
12th Floor, Valero Tower, 122 Valero St., Salcedo Village , Makati City, Philippines 1223 mla-ofc@handicapinternational.ph www.handicapinternational.ph
56 Quezon St., Arevalo Iloilo City, Philippines 5000 Tel. (+63 33) 501-9690
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