The National Vocational Rehabilitation Center (NVRC), celebrated its 60th founding anniversary recently with the theme “Animnapu’t Taong Matapat, Magiliw, Masigasig na Paglilingkod Tungo sa Pag-angat ng Kalagayan ng mga Taong May Kapansanan.”

Former NVRC Superintendent Ms. Marita S. Capadocia, who served as NVRC Superintendent from 1972-1978, gave an inspirational message where she traced the roots of NVRC by saying that, “NVRC was established so that legislators would enact laws for persons with disability (PWDs) and that NVRC has gone a long way in providing learning opportunities for PWDs.

Mr. Adcar Salmorin, on the other hand, said in his message that “kung may mga pangarap kayo na gustong abutin, hindi hadlang ang inyong kapansanan para marating ang mga ito.” referring to his transition from NVRC trainee to becoming the top 5 in the licensure exam for massage therapist given by DOH.

Menwhile, DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan led the awarding of plaques and certificates of appreciation to former heads and retirees of NVRC, stakeholders as well as the center’s best staff, for their contributions in reaching 60 fruitful years. Various folk dances and song numbers were prepared by the NVRC trainees and staff.

NVRC is a residential care facility of DSWD-NCR that caters to persons with disabilities (PWDs) by promoting their vocational rehabilitation through skills training and employment opportunities for eventual integration to the society. From 1959 to 2013, it had a total of 5,600 PWD graduates on different vocational courses.

As an initiative from 2013 to present, the center engaged in community-based training for parents of PWDs in Navotas City. They were also accredited by the Department of Health as a Training Institution for Massage Therapy so that visually impaired clients may take the DOH national licensure examination on Massage Therapy. ###