DFA Celebrates the 39th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week
03 August 2017, MANILA — In celebration of the 39th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week with the theme "Karapatan at Pribilehiyo ng Maykapansanan: Isakatuparan at Ipaglaban!", DFA organized and attended activities related to the weeklong celebration from 17 to 23 July 2017.
- 17 July 2017 - To kick-off the NDPR Week, the Department joined other government agencies in undertaking the recitation of personnel of the “Loyalty Pledge of an Advocate of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWD)” during the flag ceremony. The PWD employees joined the activity in the Home Office.
- 18 July 2017 - The DFA, represented by HRMO Executive Director, Ma. Lourdes M. Salcedo and Benefits and Welfare Division staff, Raphael D. Torralba, attended the forum entitled “Persons with Disabilities Networking with Employers” at the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.
The forum, in partnership with National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) and Quezon City Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office, aims to open more work and career opportunities for PWDs and help build an inclusive labour force in the country.
Mr. Torralba, a Hard of Hearing person, shared his expertise on the topic “Successes and Challenges in the Workplace”. Further, Executive Director Salcedo shared her inputs on the topic “The Value of Hiring Persons with Disabilities”.
During the forum, the NCDA commended the DFA for being one of the government agencies that reserves at least one percent (1%) of its positions for PWDs.
- 19 July 2017 - The DFA conducted a free screening of the documentary film, “Apolinario Mabini, the Sublime Paralytic” at the CMOAS Conference Room. The film showing is in collaboration with Ms. Mirana Medina, an independent advocacy filmmaker. It aims to educate the viewers about Mabini’s life and appreciate fully his being and his relevance today.
The film screening is the Department’s fitting tribute to Mabini, the first Secretary of Foreign Affairs and an icon to Persons with Disabilities, whose heroism is worthy of emulation by the Filipino people notwithstanding his physical disability.
- 21 July 2017 - The DFA, in partnership with Leonard Cheshire Disability Philippines Foundation, Inc. (LCDPFI), conducted the Disability Sensitivity and Basic Sign Language Session at the CMOAS Conference Room. The training session, which was attended by DFA employees with disabilities and those assigned in frontline position, aims to enhance the interpersonal communication and working relationships of employees with the PWD community.
The speakers are Dr. Maureen Ava Mata on “Understanding Disability”, Ms. Hazel Borja on “Interacting with Persons with Physical Disability and Assisting Wheelchair Users”, Ms. Marivic Ramos on “Understanding and Supporting Persons with Autism and Learning Disability”, and Ms. Dianne Roxas on “Basic Sign Language Course”. Mr. Torralba also gave a talk on “Understanding and Communicating with Hard of Hearing and Deaf Persons”.
- 23 July 2017 - The DFA attended the final day of festivities at Sky Dome, SM City North Edsa. Dubbed as “Handog, Sayawan at Kantahan”, the closing ceremony was attended by the NDPR Week National Working Committee (NWC) members, in which the Department is a part of, and PWD organizations.
The event gave commendation to the NWC members whose efforts made the NDPR Week Celebration possible and meaningful. It also showcased PWD talents from Little People of Hobbit House Manila, Paralympic Dance Sport Team, Ms. Charlene Danica Encasinas, Mr. Ramil Jaictin, Philippine School for the Deaf Dance Troupe, and other PWDs.
The DFA remains committed to increasing awareness and supporting advocacy for PWDs.
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