QC PWDS TO HAVE ADVOCACY-WELFARE OFFICE

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista has signed into law an ordinance creating the QC Persons with Disability Affairs Office (QCPDAO) that will help the differently-abled residents of the city to live normally and enjoy special privileges.

The measure, known as the “Persons with Disability Affairs Office Ordinance of Quezon City” (QC-PDAO Ordinance), mandates the creation of an office that will facilitate the integration of PWDs into the mainstream of society and improve their total well-being.

The author of the ordinance, District 2 Councilor Alfred Paolo V. Vargas III, said the measure is aimed at removing all social, cultural, economic and the attitudinal barriers that are prejudicial to PWDs and hinder their attempt to develop their skills and potentials despite their handicap.

Vargas is confident that the measure’s purpose of formulating needed local policies to ensure rehabilitated, developed and self-reliant PWDs will enable them to compete favorably in all available opportunities.

PWDs, according to Vargas, had sometimes suffered discrimination because of their mental, physical and sensory impairment that take away the respect that a marginalized sector should also enjoy, making it difficult for them to harness their talents and capability to attain a more meaningful, productive and satisfying life.

Under the measure, an office for the PWDs will be an advocacy body that will address prevailing concerns that pertains to the rights of specially challenged individuals.

According to Vargas, there are about 8,000 registered differently-abled citizens in QC who will benefit from the measure.

The QC government has successfully carried out the first ever job hunting assembly exclusively for the differently-abled residents during the celebration of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week. Also, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) had its special registration for PWD’s and senior citizens at QC Hall COMELEC office and at SM North and South Fairview branches as part of the observance of the NDPR Week. Rico/ Maureen Quiñones, PAISO