FREEDOM WALK - STARTING THE RIGHT-FULL STEP TO INCLUSION

The League of PWD Leaders, spearheaded by Alyansa ng Maykapansanang Pinoy (AKAPPinoy) staged the FREEDOM WALK last Saturday, June 11, 2011 at the Quezon Memorial Circle. The event was obviously a success with the participation of persons with disability organizations, government agencies, professional groups, parents and advocates of PWD sector. Ms. Grace Padaca, KAYA NATIN advocate and former Governor of Isabela was among the guests who showed their support to the initiative of the PWD sector. Also present during the walk were Councilor Alfred Vargas, Congressman Homer Mercado of 1UTAK Partylist, Atty. Jose Favia, Director General of Philippine Information Agency and the Running Priest, Fr. Robert Reyes. The AFP Band made the event lively with Joanna Hizon of DSWD and Vennie de la Pena of Valenzuela Federation of PWDs as masters of ceremony. 

  Various media entities, such as GMA7, TV5, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star and NBN covered the event. It was shown in Balitanghali at GMA at noontime and at primetime 24-Oras in the evening. Articles were also published in Abante, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer and other newspapers. 

FREEDOM WALK is an awareness raising campaign of AKAPPinoy on the rights of persons with disabilities for an inclusive barrier free and rights based society, with support from committed government agencies like Department of Transport and Communications (DOTC), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Quezon City Government and Manila Water. PWD organizations who actively participate in project organizing were New Vois Association of the Philippines, represented by Emer Rojas, the Chairman of the Project, WOWLEAP, PARM, Autism Society of the Philippines and Philippine Association of Citizens with Learning and Developmental Disabilities.  Proceeds of the said events will start the fund for legal assistance, leadership development and Helpline for PWDs. AKAPPinoy hopes to do the event annually as a part of its awareness campaign on UNCRPD. 

Councilor Alfred Vargas of Quezon City announced during the event the realization of Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office through an ordinance he sponsored to the City Council. He is a staunch supporter of the PWD Sector even prior to his election as member of the City Council of Quezon City in 2010.