The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) culminated the week–long celebration of the 35th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) week through a PWD skills competition held on July 29 and 30, 2013, at the Quezon City Memorial Circle and SM Fairview, respectively.
PWDs from LGUs in Metro Manila participated in various competition such as cooking, photography, on-the-spot painting, waste re–use, basket making and floral arrangement.
This year’s theme is, ”Building an Inclusive and Non-Handicapping Environment for Persons with Disabilities.”
DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan said the theme promotes the principles and concepts relevant to disability inclusive development using the Incheon Strategy as its framework. It also extends to advocate the mainstreaming of disability agenda in all government agencies, non-government organizations, civil society organizations, and the general public.
COMELEC Commissioner Grace Padaca, a PWD herself was the guest speaker and led the awarding of winners of the PWD skills competition.
Commissioner Padaca inspired the participants in her message by encouraging the PWDs to exercise their rights to vote in the coming barangay elections. She also shared that being a PWD did not hinder her to finish her studies and graduated valedictorian in her class.
“Nagka–polio ako nung bata ako. Tinutukso ng mga kapwa ko bata kaya ang ginawa ko na lang, nag aral ako ng mabuti, nagbasa ng mga libro, kaya ito na ako ngayon,” enthused Commissioner Padaca.
Commissioner Padaca was also inspired by the contestants who excelled in different categories of the competition during the closing program.