The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga, as chair of the Regional Committee on Disability Affairs (RCDA), led the culmination of the 2025 National Disability Rights Week (NDRW) celebration today, July 22, at the Grand Palace Hotel Convention in Butuan City.
Anchored on the theme “Innovation for Inclusion: Building Inclusive Communities Together,” the event gathered RCDA member-agencies, partners, and advocates to reaffirm the region’s collective efforts in advancing the rights, welfare, and empowerment of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga Regional Director Atty. Aurora Luanne Cembrano-Ramos opened the program by reminding participants that disability rights are human rights. She emphasized that recognizing the contributions of PWDs must extend beyond the week-long celebration. “Hindi po sapat ang isang linggo upang kilalanin ang kanilang kontribusyon — ang pagtatapos ng NDRW 2025 ay isang paalala sa ating lahat na ang laban para sa karapatan ng may kapansanan ay araw-araw na laban,” she said.
CHR Commissioner Atty. Maria Amifatih S. Fider-Reyes, who served as the keynote speaker, shared the Commission’s significant strides under the 6th Commission to advance disability rights and health-related concerns. She highlighted the establishment of the Center for PWDs and Health-Related Rights, the full implementation of the Filipino Sign Language Act, and the promotion of financial empowerment programs aimed at integrating PWDs as active participants in the financial ecosystem — not merely as beneficiaries of aid.
“We will only rise by lifting others,” Fider-Reyes declared, urging all sectors to take an active role in building inclusive communities.
A highlight of the event was the awarding of the Most Disability-Friendly LGUs in Caraga, recognizing local governments that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to disability-inclusive governance:
Provincial Level:
1st Place: Province of Surigao del Norte
2nd Place: Province of Agusan del Sur
City Level:
1st Place: Cabadbaran City
2nd Place: Bislig City
Municipal Level:
1st Place: Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur
2nd Place: San Miguel, Surigao del Sur
3rd Place: Loreto, Agusan del Sur
The Technical Working Group for the Most Disability-Friendly LGU awards and the Access Audit Team were also recognized for their instrumental role in promoting accessibility standards across the region.
In his closing message, DSWD Caraga Assistant Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) Jean Paul Parajes echoed the message of Dir. Ramos, emphasizing that the culmination should not be seen as an end but as a call to sustained action. “Let this culmination not mark an end but a beginning, a renewed commitment and a louder voice for the voiceless, to continue to innovate, to include, and to inspire,” he said.
The culmination of NDRW 2025 not only celebrated progress but also reaffirmed Caraga’s steadfast dedication to building an inclusive society where PWDs are respected, empowered, and given equal opportunities to participate in all facets of life.
Congratulations and thank you partners for championing the rights of Persons With Disability.
