Mandaue marks national disability and rehab week

CEBU, Philippines – Mandaue City yesterday gave recognition to three barangays for being "Persons with Disabilities-friendly" as the city marks National Disability and Rehabilitation Week.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes handed the awards to barangay Labogon captain Damaso Tumulak, Corregidor Cosedo of barangay Cabancalan and Barangay Casuntingan Francis Tan during yesterday's opening program held at the Mandaue City Sports Complex.

The mayor also accepted 19 wheelchairs donated by the 700 Club Asia and another five wheelchairs from the local Rotary Club.

Michael Allan Pielago, president of the newly organized PWD Federation of Mandaue said Labogon organized the first barangay chapter of the PWD while Cabancalan funded and helped persons with disabilities set up a cellphone shop in the mini-public market.

On the other hand, Casuntingan fully supported all PWD activities. The city has more than 2,000 persons with disabilities, half of whom are organized with a chapter in all 27 barangays, including separate organizations for the blind and women with disabilities.

Three individuals also received a plaque of appreciation for advocating the cause of PWDs.

They are city Councilor Jefferson Ceniza, barangay Subangdaku Councilor Edgar Ouano, and Engr. Gaga Mendoza.

Ceniza authored a resolution extending to PWDs the same privileges enjoyed by senior citizens.

To concretize his vision of making Mandaue City PWD-friendly, the mayor said he will hasten the completion of the building for PWDs located within the City Social Welfare Service (CWS) office.

He also told more than 2,000 PWDs to give them equal opportunities.

"I am also opening avenues for PWDs in the fields of education, sports, music, arts, and modern technology," Cortes said.

Some 31 PWds are presently employed by the Cortes administration.

The city has also given PWDs a service vehicle and funded the cost for their identification cards and booklets to be used in claiming 20 percent discounts when purchasing medicine.

Also present during the program were Vice Gov. Greg Sanchez and PWDs from Cordova led by PB Arleigh Sitoy. (THE FREEMAN)