By Grace Montallana
DIPOLOG
CITY – The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO),
in coordination with the Dipolog Association of Persons with Disability (PWD)
and Children with Special Needs has laid down series of activities to mark the celebration of the 38th
National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week on July 17-23.
This
year’s theme, “Karapatan ng may Kapansanan, Isakatuparan…. Now Na!” focuses on
the realization of the fundamental freedom and rights of persons with
disabilities as provided for in existing international mandates and national
laws.
The
celebration aims to stimulate public awareness on disability and encourage
every citizen to take active responsibility in uplifting the economic and
social condition of persons with disabilities in the country pursuant to
Proclamation No. 361 (2000) as amended by Administrative Order No. 35 (2002).
Various
activities highlight the government’s efforts towards disability prevention and
leading to the effective integration of disabled persons.
NDPR
steamers were hung in strategic areas of the city on July 15 while a mass was
held on July 18 at the Holy Rosary Cathedral.
Meanwhile,
a motorcade which started at Plaza Magsaysay passing through the major streets
ofDipolog was held on July 19. It was then followed by a clean-up drive at Sta.
Isabel bypass road participated in by the PWDs.
Other
activities during the celebration included: medical and dental check-up, radio/TV guesting on July 20 and whole-day free massage on
July 21 at Corazon Aquino Hospital.
On
July 22, the PWD Convention which advocates the human rights and fundamental
freedomof PWDs was held at Top Plaza Atrium.
The National Disability and
Rehabilitation Week is celebrated yearly every third week of July.
