Page 24 - Mainstreamer Volume 1, Issue 4, November 2023
P. 24
SOCIETIES WORKING TOGETHER
Site visit to CBMS satellite station at
Bugasong, Antique, accompanied
by PDAO staff. (Image source: Fritz
Enjhay O. Cepe)
Implementation Activities public hearings. These bring full compliance with
This document outlines a comprehensive approach the different disability laws, especially on RA 7277,
to CBR for PWD. It involves training personnel, RA 9442, BP 344 and RA 10754.
conducting needs assessments, utilising existing Nevertheless, the added impediment is the
resources, strengthening disability organisations, reinforcement of partnerships in some different
providing capacity-building, developing work agencies, especially for those who do not yet
opportunities, maintaining records and conducting belong to the Provincial/Municipal Council on
ongoing monitoring and evaluation to improve Disability Affairs, as this is fundamental to fully
the well-being and inclusion of PWD within the service the helpless and susceptible-to-abuse
community. sector of society. Most agencies are mostly non-
“ deal with daily.
cognisant of the various needs and issues PWD
Empowerment and inclusion for PWD mean
The Persons with Disability Affairs
creating access or accessibility. The province of
Office must sustain database
PWD not just against physical barriers but also
banking to link PWD-related Antique provides good accessibility services for
against attitudinal barriers, in terms of:
information provided by the focal • Accessibility in crafting policies with the
person/s in every municipality support of the Legislative Council;
or city to the main databank and • Empowerment and provision of a proper
place in society; and
regularly update it. This will allow • Understanding of accessibility through
the office to generate perceptions, psychological and social recognition and
tendencies and trends from the education by coaching and technical
database. .” assistance.
However, the Persons with Disability Affairs
The active engagement of the Persons Office finds it challenging to perform its
with Disability Affairs Office with the different monitoring, especially on the accessibility mandate
agencies, institutions, NGOs and stakeholders in every municipality of the province of Antique,
also contributed to the effective implementation because it is juggling many other functions.
of programmes and projects intended for PWD,
especially in rural areas. Likewise, collaborations
with legislative bodies are crucial in attending Implication for Replication
23 November 2023 | Vol. 01, Issue 4
