QUEZON CITY – The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) on Friday (Nov. 10) said that they will recognize Filipinos who are persons with disabilities (PWDs) on Dec. 3, 2023 coinciding with the celebration of the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD).”
The NCDA is chaired by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian.
In a press conference at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) hosted by PIA Head Executive Assistant Venus R. Valdemoro, NCDA Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Executive Director Dandy C. Victa said that they also have the manual on Gender and Development (GAD), specifically empowering women with disabilities.
The NCDA has conducted, in coordination with other government agencies, a series of consultations nationwide with regards to women disabilities such that aside from being women they also have disabilities.
Victa noted that “physical barriers” such as “accessibility” are brought about by the lack of information on how PWDs will pass the qualification standards set by the government.
“All government agencies are mandated to provide employment opportunities to PWDs geared towards making them active players in nation-building,” he said.
The NCDA has conducted an “online” Civil Service Examination for PWDs in order to make them eligible for government employment.
They are looking for persons with disabilities with extraordinary skills in connection with the award and recognition for exemplary Filipinos with disabilities, athletes with disabilities and women with disabilities, including the “Global IT Challenge for Youth with Disabilities.”
The deadline for submission of entries is on Nov. 15, 2023 and it will not be extended…
Winners for each category will receive a cash prize of PHP25,000 each and a trophy to be awarded on Dec. 3, 2023 coinciding with the celebration of the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD).”
The Identification Cards (IDs) for persons with disabilities (PWDs) are issued on the same day the applications are filed.
The NCDA is continually working on supporting legislations or proposed bills in the 19th Congress seeking to provide additional benefits for PWDs, particularly in increasing the current PHP2,000 financial assistance extended to them.
It is also engaging the private sector for “inclusion” of PWDs in the workforce. It likewise entered into memoranda of agreement with the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry. — By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
