SITOY TO PWDs: Show society we can do something useful

CEBU, Philippines - Board Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy led yesterday’s opening of the 2nd Cebu Persons with Disability (PWD) Month at the Consolacion Municipal Covered Court.

Sitoy, himself a PWD, said persons with disabilities must not be underestimated because they, too, can contribute something to society.

“Atong ipakita nga di mi mangayo og kalooy, ang amo gipangayo nga taga-i lang mi og binta kay amo ipakita sa kadaghanan nga duna pud mi ikatampo sa kalamboan sa atong lungsod (We want to show that we do not need pity. What we want is for society to give us a space and a chance to show that we can contribute something for the improvement of Consolacion),” Sitoy said.

Sitoy chairs the committee on PWDs in the Provincial Board.

“We are trying to be as infectious as possible so that in our strength and in the support that we expect to muster from the other provinces, we can be eloquently heard by the national government so that DSWD can further give us the opportunity to earn our kit and to be of service to our community,” Sitoy said.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale who was present at the event also assured to assist the activities of PWDs financially.

Magpale, chairperson of the Provincial Commission for the Welfare of Children (PCWC), also deals with children with disabilities.

Magpale told Sitoy to include children with disabilities in his program and she will provide the necessary assistance.

A month-long lineup of activities has been prepared for persons with disabilities, including a job fair, talent contest, and tree planting, among others. This year, PWDs from other provinces in Central Visayas have been invited to participate in the activities.

The Provincial Board has declared July as PWD Month in the Province of Cebu to coincide with the observance of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Month in the country.

The Board has passed the ordinance in accordance with Republic Act No. 9442 or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities. The law mandates that the state advocates for and encourage respect for PWDs and exert all efforts to remove social, cultural, economic, environmental and attitudinal barriers that are prejudicial to persons with disabilities.

To recall, Sitoy had passed a proposed ordinance to reflect the nutritional component and to place appropriate health warnings on the product packaging of the popular Cebuano chicharon.

He passed the ordinance after he had suffered a stroke, attributing the same to the fat-laden food item, which is high in cholesterol. He said the packaging should reflect that the item should be consumed with extreme caution to reduce the risk of heart diseases and some forms of cancer associated with the excessive consumption of fats and bad cholesterol.

According to Sitoy, the proposed ordinance is to advance the right to health of the constituents of the Province of Cebu and to promote health consciousness.

The proposal has remained dormant at the Provincial Board.

If acted upon and passed, violators will face a penalty of P5,000 and one-year imprisonment. — THE FREEMAN