PWDs in ZamPen reiterate

call for inclusivity, accessibility

As the country observes National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week (NDPR) from July 17-23, the local persons with disability (PWD) sector in the region is calling for government agencies and stakeholders to heed their call for inclusivity and accessibility especially during the pandemic.

Teddy Kahil, President of the Regional PWD Federation said “PWDs are highly affected by the pandemic”. For example, he cites that blind masseurs’ income are affected due to the quarantine restrictions. Hence, he said government must help ease PWDs' burden by providing appropriate skills training and livelihood opportunities for those affected.

The Department of Health-IX (DOH-IX) maintains its drive to support on disabilities prevention by giving out free vaccines for children and adolescents and has been encouraging PWDs to inform or write to their respective health offices in their provinces if they need assistive devices.

“If you are a PWD and you need assistive devices like wheelchairs, crutches and walkers, let us know and we will help you avail. You can get in touch with your city or municipal health offices,” Dr. Rolando Bucoy, Medical Officer IV of DOH-IX during the Kapihan na Zamboanga Virtual Briefing said.

DOH-Regional Office will also prioritize giving assistive devices to those that need it urgently, since supplies are very limited. However, the agency remains positive that all PWDs in the region can benefit from all their available services.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Health Insurance Cooperation-IX (PhilHealth-IX) assured that under Republic Act 11228 “the government will subsidize the PhilHealth premium contributions of more than 100,000 PWDs when the list is completely validated, hopefully within this year,” Maria Venus Giron, Chief Social Insurance Officer of PhilHealth-IX said.

PhilHealth also appealed that PWDs should be registered in the Philippine Registry of Persons with Disabilities (PRPWD).

PWDs premium contributions shall be 100% paid and those in the formal economy will have affiliated benefits where 50% will be shouldered by the national government.

On the other hand, the Commission on Population and Development-IX (POPCOM-IX) emphasized that PWDs’ reproductive health must also be addressed as there is no difference with regards to the services afforded.

“PWDs are not treated differently and can really avail reproductive health services the same with abled-persons,” said POPCOM-IX Regional Director Reynaldo Wong.

Meanwhile, PWDs may access LGUs and government programs via referrals and coordination so that they can locate PWDs in the grassroots to be prioritized on the governments' 'ayuda' especially in this present situation.

“PWDs safest way is to tap their barangay officials as they were classified as one of the vulnerable sectors especially during this pandemic,” Kahil added.

Kahil also stated that access to information is very important to PWDs. He appealed to the media community “to provide sign language inset on televised news reports in local media and be more ‘descriptive’ to give the blind a more illustrated description of the news reports”.

A proposed ordinance by Kahil has been already submitted to one of the city councilors as he is hopeful that this ordinance will be passed soon.

This year, the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week will culminate on July 23, the birthday of Apolinario Mabini. The observance is calling the different sectors to address the needs of PWDs for food, medicines and assistive devices especially those who are marginalized.

Different LGUs have provided positive responses from this call, reiterating the privileges of PWDs on the accessibility of benefits and services are the same with abled-persons. (RVC/JRA/PIA-Zamboanga City/Photo courtesy of National Council on Disability Affairs)