The Davao City Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) has prepared several activities as part of the celebration of the 47th National Disability Rights Week (NDR) on July 14–23.
These activities aim to recognize the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Atty. Redendo Martinez, Head of PDAO, shared during the ISpeak Media Forum that on July 14, members of the PWD sector will be joining the flag raising ceremony at the City Hall grounds.
This will be followed by a holy mass at the San Pedro Cathedral.
In the morning of June 15, a seminar on the effective strategies in assisting PWD clients will be held at the conference room of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, while a livelihood program seminar, spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology, is scheduled in the afternoon.
A motorcade is also scheduled on July 17 from Magsaysay Park to Rizal Park to officially kick-off the weeklong celebration. This will be followed by an opening event at Rizal Park.
On July 18, a seminar about Republic Act No. 11228 or the Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage for All Persons with Disabilities will be held at the conference room of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
ParaGames featuring games like chess for the visually impaired, table tennis for wheelchair-bound users, 100-meter dash for the blind, basketball on wheels, and sitting volleyball will be held on July 19.
Martinez also said that the PWD products display will open on July 21 at the NCCC Victoria Plaza. The Department of Trade and Industry will also give a seminar on marketing management on the same day followed by a poster making contest.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development will conduct a disability consultation, especially to clarify issues concerning the medical certificate required from PWDs with non-apparent disabilities like cancer, in the afternoon of July 21 at the conference room of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
The PWD product display continues on July 22 along with a seminar for taxpayers and business owners concerning PWD discounts and the accessibility law.
Martinez said that this seminar is necessary especially since the city recently passed an ordinance recognizing the rights of the PWDs.
“One of the provisions of which is the recognition of the Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 mandating all establishments whether public or private to adopt the accessibility law,” he explained.
A free health and legal consultation will also take place on the same day.
On July 23, as part of the celebration of the NDR Week, a brief celebration recognizing the birth of the hero Apolinario Mabini, known as the “Sublime Paralytic,” will be held at the Mabini Park. A one-stop shop of caravan services for PWDs will also take place on the same day.
The city government continues to urge Dabawenyos and business establishments to recognize and uphold the rights of PWDs. The public is likewise reminded not to take advantage of PWDs and to extend their continued support and solidarity. CIO