LGUs, GOs, NGOs, support Recto bill for PWDs
By Rose B. Palacio
Davao City (10 October) -- Local Government Units (LGUs) particularly Digos, Davao del Sur through Digos Vice Mayor Joseph Peņas; IGACOS Vice Mayor Austerio Obenza; Davao City Councilor Domingo Dalodo as Council committee chair on social services and development; CHR XI Director Atty. Alberto Sipaco Jr.; Panabo City Councilor Manuel Yambao; Davao Jubilee foundation through its program manager Evelyn Cabigon; DSWD XI Director Merceditas Jabagat; CSSDO; NAPC; Network of Focal Persons for PWDs through its chairperson Marilou Loreņa; and other non-government organizations have pledged support and commitment on the proposed 1375 Bill of Senator Ralph Recto for the creation of Persons with Disabilities Affairs (PDAO).
Pledges of support and commitment were made during last Friday's (Oct 5) Media Forum on SB 1375 held at Royal Mandaya hotel sponsored by Davao Jubilee Foundation, DSWD XI with USAID & the Regional Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons XI.
Senator Recto's SB 1375 is an "Act creating the persons with disabilities affairs office (PDAO) in every province, city and municipality, amending section 40 of Republic Act No. 7277.
The proposed bill not only seeks to integrate PWDs into the mainstream of society through the creation of PDAO but also to enhance to the fullest the capabilities and potentials of PWDs giving them equal opportunity and promote their welfare.
In its lengthy discussion, Carlos Sexcion of the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) lauded the Recto Bill 1375 in establishing PDAO in every city, municipality and province to benefit all PWDs citing the need for funding for its operation and other expenses.
Precy Luzon of DSWD said DSWD statistics showed a total of 41,515 PWDs in region eleven with Davao City having the highest number of PWDs totaling 6,569 followed by Davao del Sur - 5,455; Davao del Norte - 4,151; Davao Oriental - 2,108; and Compostela Valley - 3,483.
Out of the total 41,515, 19,749 are female while 21,766 are male. Others present during the Media Forum include: Atty. Ian Joseph Uy of the Office of Councilor Dalodo; representatives from the NGOs and GOs.
For more details on SBill 1375, contact Liza of DSWD regional field office. (PIA-XI) [top]
