Zamboanga City (By Jocelyn P. Alvarez) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development takes the lead in the celebration of the 31st National Disability & Prevention Week on July 17 to 23.

Proclamation no. 361 & A.O 35 directs all government and non-government organizations to promote and conduct relevant activities during the week with the theme “31st NDPR Week: Tungo sa Katuparan ng Karapatan ng PWDs.”

Various activities are lined up by different government and non-government agencies for the purpose such as briefing on starting a business, entrepreneurship training, skills training on meat processing, banana chips and coconut candy processing and skills training on T-shirt training. These activities will be spearheaded by DTI 9.

Also, as part of the celebration, an eye screening will be performed at the ZCMC for possible eye operation which is scheduled on a later date for qualified patients. The operation will be handled by Dr. Vic Cajeta, a Harvard trained and Cebu based ophthalmologist.

Photo exhibit and film showing on successful PWDs will form part of the activities lined up. Livelihood and trade fare will also be conducted showcasing the products personally made by the PWDs such as slippers, pajamas, pillowcases, pot holders and beaded works. PWD will also have their own bingo social, sports festival and variety show. All these activities will be held at the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC), situated in Mampang.

AVRC is a facility under the DSWD that serves as a venue of new hope that offers opportunities and free skills training for PWDs in Mindanao to develop their maximum potentials for the eventual integration in the mainstream of society.

City Social Welfare office will also have its activities like the advocacy on Disability prevention, launching of the therapeutic massage center, distribution of Phil health cards to PWDs, conduct of PWD congress and distribution of PWD IDs.

It can be recalled, on August 19, 2000, Proclamation No. 361 was issued by then President Joseph E. Estrada amending Proclamation No. 1870 “Declaring the third week of July as the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week which shall culminate on the Birthdate of the sublime Paralytic: Apolinario Mabini on July 23 each year” This proclamation has given recognition to Apolinario Mabini, whose exemplary and dedicated heroic acts during the Philippine Revolution made him an outstanding icon for persons with disabilities. (Philippine Information Agency)