The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), conducted a post-celebration of the 44th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week on July 30, 2022 at the Convention Center, Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili.
With the theme, “Working with the Government in Achieving Equal Access to Education, Employment, and Livelihood towards the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PWD),” this year celebration’s primary objective is to stimulate public awareness on disability problems and concerns particularly issues on disability prevention, rehabilitation, and equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
In partnership with the Camarines Sur Federation of Persons with Disability, over 400 participants from the different municipalities of the province attended the celebration where various activities such as talk show with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) representative, poster making, singing contest, and Laro ng Lahi were conducted.
“Sa arog kaining programa naluluwas an mga talent and skill kan satuyang mga PWD. Digdi man nagkakaigwa kitang pagtiripon kun sain nahihiling an kamugtakan kan lambang PWD members asin si mga concern and issues natutukar kan mga line agencies na naiimbitaran,” said Erwin Santos, CamSur Federation President of PWDs.
According to Santos, this celebration and activity wouldn’t have been possible without the staunch support of the provincial government. “Naoogma po akong maray ta nagkatiripon kami ngunyang panahon. Dakulaon po an importansya kan suportang itinatao satuya kan probinsya ta dai man kami makakahaman kaining programa asin proyekto kun mayo po an suporta ninda. Nagpapasalamat po akong maray asin lugod padagos an saindong suporta sa mga PWD,” thanked Santos.
The participants also availed of the free medical checkup, medicine, and vitamins during the celebration.
Similarly, the City Government of Iriga through their Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) also partnered with the Provincial Government of CamSur for their celebration of the 44th NDPR Week at the Iriga Sports Complex on July 25, 2022.
Moreover, a one-stop shop of services was also set up during the event. The services offered include PWD ID registration, legal assistance, screening services for assistive devices, cleft lip and palate operation, club foot and prosthesis, free haircut and massage, and each participant were also given five (5) kilos of rice.
One of the participants is Emily Castor of Tarusanan, San Francisco, Iriga City. Castor is among the blind masseuse commissioned to give free massages to the participants. “Ngunyan pong aldaw talagang feeling blessed kami ta may arog kaining programa asin na-invite kami mag-massage sa selebrasyon na ini. Nakakaogma po ta sa arog kaining paagi, nakatao kaming kaginhawahan sa mga minamasahe mi,” said Castor.
The provincial government extends its support by providing an all-out free medical service to all the PWD participants. The CamSur’s Dental Bus, Medical Diagnostic Van, and Hospital-on-Wheels were sent to Iriga City to offer free dental checkup and tooth extraction, free medical consultation, free laboratory tests such as ultrasound, X-ray, and ECG, and free medicines and vitamins. Participants who were in need of other medical assistances were also referred to the Ka Fuerte Medical Assistance Program.
Apart from giving out free massages, Castor also availed of the free medical and laboratory tests during the event. “Nagpa-checkup man po ako tapos nagpa-laboratory. Dakulaon na pong tabang ini ta kun sa luwas pa, grabe an magagastos mi. Salamat po sa tabang na tinatao nindo samuya. Sana padagos kamong i-bless ni Lord sa saindong pagtabang,” she added.
Castor became blind when she was only three years old after contracting measles which led to complications. According to her, during her younger years, services and programs such as the free medical services were hard to come by that is why she was beyond thankful not only for experiencing the support herself today but for having the other PWD members experience the same.
The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, under the new leadership of Governor Luigi Villafuerte, seeks to continue and further the support of the province to all its constituents. During the celebration at the Convention Center, Governor Luigi graced the event and delivered his message and commitment to PWD federation.
“As the provincial governor, my first step is to issue an executive order creating the PWD Council here at the Provincial Capitol. We have many relevant stakeholders, your very self as the members and officials, and different Civil Service organization. We can convene quarterly to plan significant programs and projects for the PWD federation,” said Governor Villafuerte. He also shared his vision of establishing a PWD Center at the Provincial Capitol where there will be rehabilitation, therapy, and education center, and livelihood opportunities to give among the PWD members.
