PB declares July "Persons with Disabilities Month"

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Board has declared the month of July every year as Persons With Disabilities (PWD) Month.

Board Member Arleigh Sitoy earlier proposed to declare February as Persons With Disabilities Month, but the Board said it is more fitting to observe the same in July to coincide with the observance of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Month.

Sitoy even rushed his proposal to implement the activities he has lined up for February, but eventually agreed to the consensus. Sitoy is the chairman of the Board’s committee on persons with disabilities.

The Board made for the formal declaration during its regular session last January 31.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office is tasked to spearhead activities that would highlight the efforts of the provincial government towards stimulating public awareness pertaining to persons with disabilities.

The ordinance that made the declaration official also enjoined all component cities and municipalities of the province to coordinate with the provincial government in the implementation of their programs and activities during the PWD month.

The Board passed the ordinance in accordance with Republic Act No. 9442 or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities. The law mandates that the state advocates for and encourage respect for PWDs and exert all efforts to remove social, cultural, economic, environmental attitudinal barriers that are prejudicial to persons with disabilities.

Just this week, the Mandaue City government distributed purchase cards that would enable PWDs to buy medicines and groceries with a 20 percent discount. (FREEMAN)