Former Commission on Election (COMELEC) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon graced the culminating activity of the National Disability Rights Awareness (NDRA) Week celebration at the Casa Real in Iloilo City this morning.
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) spearheaded the activity through its officer-in-charge Rani Melvi Cuarte, who gathered Persons with Disability (PWD) organizations, local government officials, and various stakeholders.
Guanzon, a nominee of the P3 PWD Partylist, urged the participants to support initiatives for the welfare of the PWDs.
Also held was the awarding of the Search for PWD-friendly Municipality where the Municipality of Pototan was adjudged Champion receiving a cash prize of PHP 50,000.00.
Placing First Runner-up was New Lucena which is last year’s Champion. They received a cash prize of PHP 30,000.00.
The Municipality of Leon placed Second Runner-up with a cash prize of PHP 20,000.00.
Meanwhile, the municipalities of Dingle, Janiuay, Guimbal, Sara and Banate were recognized as finalists.
Several PWDs also received wheelchairs and other assistive devices courtesy of Guanzon’s P3 PWD Partylist.
Recipients of the provincial government’s PWD educational assistance were also recognized.
This year’s National Disability Rights Week celebration has a theme: “Promoting Inclusion: Celebrating Abilities and Advocating Access.”
The culminating activity coincided with the birthday of national hero Apolinario Mabini, a paralytic who is considered the “brain” of the Philippine revolution.
The successful holding of the weeklong activities was facilitated by PWD Focal Person Ma. Christine Roa, Provincial Disability Affairs Office designate Ann Rapunzel Ganzon and the PSWDO staff.
