Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Tuesday appealed to all stakeholders to strongly collaborate with the persons with disabilities (PWD) sector to ensure that they also benefit from the country’s programs and services.
“We believe that in order to dismantle the barriers that hinder their full participation, we must actively align with the principle of ‘nothing about us, without us’ and engage with the disability sector to build a more inclusive, accessible, and enabling environment for all,” Gatchalian said in a keynote message delivered by DSWD Undersecretary Fatima Aliah Dimaporo during the 3rd National Conference of Persons with Disabilities in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on Tuesday.
The conference was organized by the League of Persons with Disability Affairs Offices in the Philippines, Inc. (LPDAOPI), in collaboration with the city government of Puerto Princesa and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA).
It provides a platform to promote inclusive local governance, strengthen the role of disability focal persons, and advance the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities nationwide.
The DSWD chief stressed that PWDs have demonstrated immense potential in their chosen fields and expertise similar to able-bodied citizens, hence, it is necessary to continue to uphold and champion their rights.
“Persons with disabilities have come a long way as embodiments of pride and honor to our country. This is why we must continue to strengthen and enhance policies and programs that support their full inclusion and equal participation in society,” he added.
Gatchalian mentioned some of the efforts of the DSWD and its attached agency, the NCDA, to empower and capacitate persons with disabilities.
These include the conduct of community-based and center-based programs and services to enhance the skills and knowledge of persons with disabilities; the creation of the unified PWD identification card; and the launching of the Persons with Disabilities Electric Transportation Services (PWD-ETS) project.
The unified PWD ID is expected to be rolled out in 35 participating local government units (LGUs) by October.
For the PWD-ETS project, the DSWD is currently in talks with the Department of Transportation for the expansion of the project to mainstream the e-vehicles for commercial use. (PNA)