Koronadal City conducts free health check-up for PWDs
More than a hundred Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) from the city took part in the recently conducted free medical check-up in celebration of the 42nd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week.
The celebration adopts the theme “Kalinga at Malasakit Tugon para sa mga Taong may Kapansanan sa Panahon ng Pandemyang COVID-19” which revolves on understanding the needs and capabilities of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and providing them medical support amidst the crisis brought by COVID-19.
According to Architect Ramonito Octaviano, Persons with Disabilities Office (PDAO) Head, the City of Koronadal was among the first to launch a project in this year’s event, which directly served its constituents. Apart from the free consultation, he added that the said activity intends to provide medical certificate—a requirement in securing a PWD ID— to the identified PWDs in the city who have not yet obtained their IDs.
Furthermore, Octaviano conveyed that he’s up for inspection to both private and public establishments and offices who are not compliant with Batas Pambansa 344 or the Accessibility Law— an act to enhance the mobility of Disabled Persons by requiring certain buildings, institutions, establishments and public utilities to install facilities and other devices.
The city government also prorated over a hundred food packs containing 10 kilos of rice and grocery items as support on the launching of the said activity.
In his interview, PDAO Head expressed his gratitude to City Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena for showing his active interest in all its initiatives and undertakings for the city’s PWDs.
“Kadako sang akon pasalamat kay very supportive si Mayor. Kung ano gina-ayo ko sa iya, wala gid siya gaduha-duha, gina provide niya gid dayon. So tani mapadayon pa ini nga hindi lang amo ni nga project ang mahatag ta sa katawhan,” PDAO head said.
Octaviano then added that the said event would be celebrated annually when the PDAO office has already established. And currently, his office is on the track of proposing the provision of mobility aids to the local’s PWDs.
The activity commenced last July 17 until July 23 on the first eight (8) barangays of the city, which include Concepcion, New Pangasinan, Sto. Niño, GPS, Sta. Cruz, Paraiso, Rotonda, and Topland.
The NDPR Week is celebrated every third week of July under Proclamation No. 361 signifying the birthday of the sublime paralytic, Apolinario Mabini on July 23, whose exemplary and heroic acts during the Philippine Revolution has dramatically influenced the declaration and observance of the disability prevention and rehabilitation which essentially, has become an icon for PWDs.