Day 20: On Cebu City's PWD Programs

Maureen, a Filipino ICS Volunteer
who will be working with Fully Abled
Nation (FAN). At the back is the
DSWS office that visited

It's the 20th day since the ICS volunteering journey started. Today, we visited the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) to know more about the current programs relating to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). 

Currently, there are 12,000 registered PWDs which was originally 500 the previous year. The increase in the number of registrants can be also attributed to the Fully Abled Nation project which is funded by the Australian Aid aiming to increase PWD sector's participation for the 2013 election. Half of the 12,000 PWDs on the list are registered voters and eligible to vote on the May 13 election.

According to Dr. Easter Concha ( Head;DSWS), their programs included:

1. Giving Physical Devices such as Hearing Aids, Wheel Chair and Crutches

2. They also give job orders to employ PWDs in their offices

3. They do PWD and Senior Citizen Validation.

4. Financial Support for Senior Citizens P12, 000 and P5,000 for PWDs which is distributed on a quarterly basis.

5. For healthcare, they have P5,000 for Out Patient to a maximum support of P20,000 for Hospitalization.

6. They also support for livelihood programs which ranges from P2,000 to P5,000 Seed Money.

Currently, they are working for a PWD friendly vehicle which they hope could accommodate persons inside their wheelchair.

Aside from this, they also had some Organizational changes that was implemented recently because formerly, the 80 barangays of Cebu City were divided into 5 and was lead by 5 supervisors. Now, they changed it into a program based approach wherein the 5 supervisors will lead all 80 barangays with its specific programs. To briefly summarize it, from a per district approach, it became a per program approach which can be considered as a best practice especially when training is conducted - it is easy to send someone because of the program based approach.

We moved to another part of the office and there we met Mr. Nelo Mayan which is the president of the Federation of PWDs in Cebu City. It was said that they have different groups which is being addressed according to their needs:
1. Mute
2. Blind
3. Deaf
4. Ortho and Chronic Illnesses
5. Mental Disabilities

According to them, Cebu is a very PWD friendly compared to other cities in the Philippines. PWDs and Senior Citizens have a privilege of 3 Hours free Parking which can be availed by registering and buying a sticker to put into their vehicle. Aside from this, a city ordinance was passed last December 2012 that those who discriminate PWDs can be sued and get jailed.

 PWDs have a very special place in my heart. I have an aunt who's part of this sector of the society. I remember them having meetings in their house together with other PWDs in our small town. She is very passionate. We treat her like a normal person but we never disregard her needs.

"Secure the PWDs and make a difference in the Future.", as said by Nelo Mayan. Indeed, achieving what Sir Nelo Mayan have said is an effort that should start by educating people and let them understand their needs. And only then, will the future be bright for all of us.