BUTUAN CITY- In observance of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) week, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga and other member agencies of the Regional Committee on Disability Affairs (RCDA) led the week-long celebration from July 17-22, 2017 in the region.

This year’s NDPR week bears the theme, “Karapatan at Pribilehiyo ng Maykapansanan: Isakatuparan at Ipaglaban”, which focuses on the realization of the fundamental freedoms and rights of PWDs.

The celebration became a venue for the PWDs to showcase their talents through dancing, singing, as well as participating in the friendly games conducted during the kickoff activity held at Capitol Covered Court, this city.

Butuan City Councilor Ferdinand Nalcot, one of the guest speakers during the opening program, informed the participants about the proposed city ordinance that the PWDs will soon enjoy such as free admission in a movie theater just like the enjoyment that the senior citizens enjoy every Monday.

Among the activities conducted in line with the annual celebration were the following: RCDA press conference, forum on the discount privilege and VAT exemption, community-based and rehabilitation training, urban gardening for the PWDs, and forum for PWDs.

Based on the result of the 2nd round household assessment conducted by the Listahanan project, as of February 29, 2016, a total of 21,296 PWDs were identified as poor in the region. Of these numbers, 12,002 are males while 9,294 are females. In terms of magnitude of the poor, Agusan del Sur accounted the highest number of poor PWDs.

Per Presidential Proclamation No.361, the NDPR week is an annual celebration of the national government observed every 3rd week of July. Various activities are conducted to recognize the important roles of PWDs in the society as well as to tackle concerns and issues on the said sector.###(ABEGAIL R. ALVAREZ/Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)