07 August 2014 – To commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Apolinario Mabini, Philippine national hero and icon for persons with disabilities (PWDs), and at the same time in observance of the 36th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week (July 17 to 23), the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong SAR organized a “Talk on Persons with Disabilities” on July 20 at the Consulate’s Public Area.
In her opening remarks, Consul General Bernardita L. Catalla noted that the seminar aimed to help enhance the Filipino Community’s awareness on the needs, rights and capabilities of PWDs in Hong Kong.
Ms. Devi Novianti, resource person and the Corporate Communications Officer in Hong Kong’s Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), focused on Hong Kong’s Disability Discrimination Ordinance, rights, government policies and services for PWDs, and what the public can do to support them, either as caregivers or as relatives. Ms. Novianti also provided the highlights of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CPRD) which the Philippines and China have signed and ratified, as well as Hong Kong’s obligations on the CPRD and what the EOC can do to assist PWDs to exercise their rights.
Members of the Filipino community actively participated in the Question and Answer portion where they shared their individual experiences as PWDs. END