PWDs call for decent employment on Disability Day
“Disability is not a hindrance to being productive. We deserve to be given permanent jobs.” So was the call of Samahang May Kapansanan (SMK), an organization of persons with disability (PWDs) during the celebration of the International Day for Disabled Persons last December 3 which had the theme “Decent work for PWDs.” Organized by SMK in partnership with Handicap International and various local government units, the event was attended by over 100 participants who were PWDs, parents and family members in the municipality of Libungan, North Cotabato.
“A job can help us develop self-confidence, live decently and not be a burden to society. Given the right opportunity, PWDs can contribute to national development,” declared Anabelle Caraulia, SMK representative, reading from her organization’s position paper delivered during the event. The other demands voiced out by the group were appropriate education for PWDs, health services, PWD-friendly infrastructure, and equal treatment based on human dignity.
The celebration featured project presentations, solidarity messages and performances prepared by deaf children trained by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 12 Center for Handicapped in Cotabato City. Various government units such as DSWD, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office through their representatives reported their respective projects for PWDs and pledged to support SMK in its efforts to become sustainable and self-reliant.
SMK currently implements two projects (a photocopy center and a grocery store) with financial assistance from DOLE Region 12 while DSWD helps the organization in capacity-building. For its part, the Municipal Council of Libungan recently passed a local resolution for the implementation of Executive Order 437, which provides among other things for the allocation of local government funds for services for PWDs.
“We hope that legislation concerning PWDs will be duly implemented,” said Caraulia.
"NO CHILD SHOULD DIE OF DIABETES"
Celebrate the 1st World Diabetes Day on 14 November 2007
In December 2006, the General Assembly of the United Nations passed Resolution 61/225, a landmark document recognizing diabetes as a "chronic, debilitating and costly disease, associated with major complications that pose severe risks to families, countries and the entire world." It designates November 14 as World Diabetes Day, a UN day to be observed every year beginning 2007. HI joins the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in celebrating this day through its diabetes projects in seven countries namely, the Philippines, Nicaragua, India, Kenya, Mali, Madagascar and Thailand. In the Philippines, HI’s diabetes project is organizing fora and day care center activities in Davao City. more»
|
