Persons with Disabilities receive assistive devices from Leyte province

By Provincial Media Relations Center
August 23, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  More than 80 persons with disabilities were given new comforts by the provincial government of Leyte through some new assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walkers and canes distributed personally by Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla during the culmination program of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.

The provincial government has been consistent in providing assistance for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) both for physical comfort and some livelihood training.

During this year’s National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week, the Federation of Disabled Persons of Leyte Inc. (FEDPELI) held their Culmination Program after a weeklong celebration held later than the declared third week of July celebration for persons with disabilities.

Gov. Petilla said that persons with disabilities in the province would always be given support by the provincial government.

“There’s no reason why they should be treated differently. We should treat them as equals. That’s why, whenever there is an opportunity for them to excel and give their best, we help in providing for such opportunity,” Gov. Petilla said.

The province, as has become a tradition, provided assistive devices to identified beneficiaries, all suffering from physical disabilities.

FEDPELI, together with the supervision of the Provincial Social Welfare Office, also held a Sports Olympics participated by differently-abled persons from all over the province held the Leyte Sports Development Center.

Winners in the different sports such as swimming, basketballs and many others also received individual cash prizes.

This year’s National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week carried the theme: “Sa Istrakturang Accessible, Lahat ay Able (Accessible Structure, Everyone is Able).”

The NDPR Week was originally declared by Proclamation No. 1870, on June 22, 1978. It was amended on August 19, 2000, to recognize Apolinario Mabini, the Sublime Paralytic, whose disabilities did not hinder him from contributing to the Philippine Revolution.

This year's observance aims to stimulate public awareness and support for disability issues and concerns that will strengthen the involvement of various government and non-government organizations, PWDs themselves, and the media.