110,000 SIGNATURES FROM DEAF COMMUNITY PRESENTED TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE

It was a historical day at the North wing of the House of Representatives when about 300 deaf and their advocates gathered at the lobby and met by Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Teddy Casino. He authored House Bill 4632- an providing court interpreter for the deaf and allocating 2Million pesos thereof.  Rep. Casino then accompanied a small group to meet the Speaker of the House, Rep. Sonny Belmonte at his office on the second floor, while the rest of the group were ushered by his staff at the gallery of the plenary hall.

At the office of the Speaker of the House, Raphy Domingo, the spokeperson and consultant of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf informed Speaker Belmonte about the need for the bill to be passed. The Speaker positively replied that he sees no reason for the bill to fail. The Officers of PFD, led by Rey Alfed Lee, President turned over the 110,000 signatures from the Deaf Community all over the Philippines in support of the Bill. 

Carmen Zubiaga of WOWLEAP also informed Speaker Belmonte of another bill soon to be filed which seeks the official recognition of the Filipino sign Language (FSL) as the national sign language for the Deaf. The Honorable Speaker was surprised to hear about the issue and expressed his understanding that all sign languages were universal for the deaf. Raphy briefly explained that Filipino sign language is embedded in Filipino Deaf culture and should be used especially in early education of deaf children. Just like spoken languages and dialects, the mother tongue, and in case of the deaf the mother sign language should be used to make learning easier with comprehension for the deaf to be properly educated. As the time is too short to explain everything about the Filipino Sign Language and the research done by PDRC and PFD, he requested a meeting for this. Carmen Zubiaga and Jeana Manalaysay also mentioned to the speaker about the accessibility of the whole House of Representative complex for all people with disabilities. They mentioned the lack of accessible toilets for wheelchair users, parking space for PWDs and other provisions. Again, the Honorable Speaker was surprised that there were concerns like those that he was not really aware of.  Carmen added quickly that there should be disability awareness program for the House of Representatives for all Congressmen to be aware of needs of their constituencies and allocate at least 10% of their pork barrel for disability programs in their districts and that the PWD sector is willing to conduct those awareness sessions. The Speaker encouraged the group to write a proposal for everything mentioned.  It was a hopeful meeting with the Speaker of the House. Its only up to those who were present to follow up.    After the photo session, the group joined the other delegation at the gallery to support the privilege speech of Congressman Teddy Casino at the plenary where he acknowledge the delegation of the Deaf and other persons with disabilities supporting them. An interpreter was provided.

It was a good experience. Other advocates present were Mr. Lauro Purcil of the Philippinee Coalition of UNCRPD, Dr. Therese Bustos of UP College of Special Education, Ms. Salou Sobrepena of CAP College for the Deaf, Jojo Esposo of MCCID and Representative from Life Haven.

DAY 4- NDPR WEEK- FUN WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES OF TAYTAY RIZAL

Prep and grade school pupils with hearing impairment, autism
and developmental disabilities joining the invocation

Give them the reason to smile for a better future. Who should fight for their rights for better education and prepare a  society that will protect their rights to live as other individuals. 

Taytay Rizal celebrated the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week on July 20, at SM EVENT Center from 10am-5:00pm through the initiative of the Municipal Government thru the Public Information and Persons With Disabilities Affairs Office. Councilor Michell Bermundo welcomed the participants and announced that the ordinance supporting the Creation of Persons With Disabilities Affairs Office was already filed with support from Councilors Allan de Leon and Archie Calderon and Kiko Esguerra.   Morning was fun time for SPED Students of Rosario Ocampo Elementary School and Sta. Ana Elementary School and some children with disabilities from different barangays brought by women volunteers of Samahang Kababaihan ng

Invocation by the Deaf Pupils of Rosario Ocampo Elementary School. 

Taytay led by Mrs. Joan Gacula. There were talent presentations, games and prizes courtesy of donors and supporters of persons with disabilities.  The smiles and laughter of children during the fun time were heart warming and bring the observers, especially the women volunteers, to tears for never they had witnessed such dances performed by deaf children and songs from a lovable man with down syndrome. The pride from the parents gave a sense of fulfillment to the organizers, especially the SPED Teachers, the Officers of Taytay  Bukas Buhay Para sa Maykapansanan and the members of Sangguniang Bayan who were present during the event.

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Dance number from Deaf pupils of Sta. Ana Elementary School 

FORUM ON ACCESSIBLE 2013 ELECTION

Mrs. Piedad Eliazar interprets in sign language the speech of Mr. Tony Villasor of COMELEC. 

Councilor Michell Bermundo (3rd from R) of Taytay with Mr. Tony
Villasor, Atty. Rhodora Yanes, Ms. Piedad Eliazar and Carmen Zubiaga

The whole afternoon was dedicated to a more serious audience composed of parents, leaders of PWD organizations from different municipalities, women volunteers and persons with disabilities from different barangays of Taytay.  Hon. Jun Macabuhay, Chairman of Bgy Dolores welcomed the guest and participants  of the forum. In his message, Mayor Joric Gacula expressed his support to the PWD sector and welcomed the representatives from COMELEC. Mr. Tony Villasor of the COMELEC Inter-Agency Network on Empowerment of PWD in Political and Public Life and Atty Erwin Caliba from the office of Commissioner Rene V. Sarmiento explained the initiatives going on to empower PWDs on their right to suffrage in coordination with PWD organizations, civil society organizations and concerned government agencies.  Engr. Ed Niervas of Department of Public Works and Highways-District 1 of Rizal shared the initiatives of their office in implementing Batas Pambansa 344 or the Accessibility Law.  An open forum followed with the reactions from PWD leaders who insisted that the agency should provide orientation to municipal building officers to strictly implement the law especially in public schools  where voting precincts are located. The PWD leaders cited public schools with steep ramps and inaccessible facilities not friendly to students with disabilities. A close coordination with PWD leaders and DPWH was agreed to monitor the implementation of Accessibility Law within the province. Atty. Rodora Yanes, Election Officer of Taytay closed the forum with her personal enlightening experience during the whole day activity. She announced that the COMELEC Office of Taytay will  give special attention to those who will need assistance during registration.   

SPECIAL REGISTRATION OF VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES AND ISSUANCE OF PWD IDs and MEDICINE PURCHASE BOOKLET

COMELEC TAYTAY implemented the satellite registration for voters with disabilities during the day. Most of the PWDs and senior citizens came to update their records. About 300 PWD also registered for the issuance of  PWD discount IDs. 

THANKS TO MAYOR JORIC GACULA AND THE SANGGUNIANG BAYAN NG TAYTAY

WITH SUPPORT FROM: 

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE HEADED BY CARMEN ZUBIAGA,

BGY. DOLORES CHAIRMAN JUN MACABUHAY, KAGAWAD LESTER MARTIREZ, COMELEC TAYTAY ELECTION OFFICER ATTY. RHODORA YANES, TAYTAY BUKAS BUHAY PARA SA MAYKAPANSANAN HEADED BY NINA ROSE SANCHEZ AND THE SAMAHANG KABABAIHAN NG BAGONG TAYTAY THRU MS. ELVIE GALES, PRESIDENT AND CHAIRPERSON, MRS. JOAN ANGELA GACULA. 

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL SPED TEACHERS MARITES, DEANNA AND TESS - YOU ARE MY HEROINES! PLEASE KEEP ME COMPANY FOR OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES. - OF TAYTAY-   Carmen Zubiaga

NDPR DAY 3- ENTREPRENEURSHIP APPRECIATION COURSE FOR PWD

" Do not mix your personal needs and money with your business." This is the message of Captain Oscar Taleon, President of AKAPPinoy and Co-Chair of the National Working Group of NDPR Week Celebration, to the participants of the Entrepreneurship Appreciation Course for Persons With Disabilities held at the Occupational Safety and Health Center. The activity was organized by the Capacity Building and Resource Mobilization Committee of the Inter-agency Network on PWD Economic Development and Empowerment(PWeDe) chaired by Carmen Zubiaga of WOWLEAP,  with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Labor and Employment as Co-Vice Chairs. The National Council on Disability Affairs co-sponsored the activity with DOLE and OSHC. 


Ms. Marilyn Nicolas of DOLE developed the module and led the team of trained facilitators in administering the one day course. About 80 participants who came from about 10 organizations, benefited from the one day course which gave them ideas of how to start a small business or improve an existing one, either as individual or as a group. The participatory exercise proved to be effective considering the different levels of education of the participants. The course is a prelude to the planned activities of the PWEDE Committee on Capacity Building and Resource Mobilization which aims to assist PWDs in establishing social enterprises. The Foundation of These Abled Inc (FTI) spearheaded the formation of PWEDE and serves as the secretariat of the network. FTI is the social responsibility arm of the National Federation of Cooperatives of Persons With Disabilities.

The Women With Disabilities LEap to SOcial and Economic Progress (WOWLEAP) identified and invited participants from Rizal and the National Capital Region. The following organizations sent participants:  Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Independent Living and Learning Center of Mandaluyong, Las Pinas Federation of Persons With Disabilities, Valenzuela Federation of Persons With Disabilities, National Vocational Rehabilitation Center, Cerebral Palsied Association of the Philippines (CPAP), CBR Coordinating Office, Jehovah Witnesses Deaf Ministry and  2 individual participants with disabilities.

DAY 2-NDPR WEEK- THE FIRST AIR TRANSPORT ACCESSIBILITY FORUM

Retired General Boots Bautista, Chief Operating Officer of  Manila International Airport Authority, welcomed all guests and participants of the First Air Transport Accessibility Forum held at the Viewing Gallery of Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport held on July 18, 2011. Gen. Bautista willingly gave his mobile number and encouraged everyone to inform him if they would encounter any problem in their turf and assured that he will do his best to respond to all calls. It was an opportunity that everyone welcomed made the audience confident, especially the persons with disabilities present during the forum, who felt that another ally was won. The cheerful retired general obviously won the hearts of everyone.

The air transport forum is a dream come true for the Task Force on Accessibility of the Department of Transport and Communication led by Architect Rizal Morales. In the midst of issues of passengers with disabilities being denied of their rights in air transport, particularly the case of 10 deaf passengers denied to board the Cebu Pacific flight going to Boracay and the two children with autism from Hong Kong, DOTC Accessibility Team succeeded in bringing together some stakeholders of the air transport sectors to a forum to sensitize them on the rights of persons with disabilities and their needs to be accommodated in air transport without discrimination.

Former Isabela Governor and Kaya Natin Movement advocate Grace Padaca shared her personal experiences as a person with disability surviving the life of being a student struggling to go places with inaccessible transport and triumphed in the end with a degree in Accounting with the love and support from her family which she cited was the most important for the life of a PWD to succeed.

Engr. Bien Mateo of SM Supermalls Disability Affairs Program presented the SM Cares Videos which inspired  and touched everyone on this giant business' initiatives to give A SPECIAL PLACE FOR persons with disabilities as the heart of their customer service.

Mr. Noli Agcaoili, Chairperson of AKAPPINOY challenged the Civil Aeronautics Board to make a policy pronouncement on air transport accessibility by issuing an administrative order. Lets hope that this challenge will not fall on deaf ears, or we will teach them SIGN LANGUAGE (is this a joke?)

Sensitivity Training followed with presentations from Engr. Centeno of DPWH Region 3, Archt. Jaime Silva of UAAP on sensitivity to people with visual impairment, Carmen Zubiaga of WOWLEAP on the Rights of Passengers with Disabilities, Charito Manglapus of CPAP on sensitivity to people with cerebral palsy and other severe mobility disabilities and testimonies from Virgie Rabino of Leonard Cheshire Disability Philippines and Cromwell Taduran of Nova Foundation.

I forgot to tell everyone that Philippine Airlines is my favorite airline, which did not give me any problem every time I'm on board with them. It was good to see Sir Junji and Ms. Menchu Sarmiento among the participants and informed everyone that PAL really keep on doing their best to make their passengers feel comfortable during their flights. In the past four years of traveling with PAL, they never insist on signing a waiver for passengers with disabilities. At least, we have our own flag carrier to be proud of. Keep up the good work, PAL!

It was also nice to have our support group from Commission on Election headed by Sir TOny Villasor with Atty. Erwin and Ms. Rexie from the office of Commissioner Rene V. Sarmiento. They really stayed for the whole day seminar.

I am also giving special acknowledgement to Ms. Guia, our Focal Person in MIAA for giving us a wonderful accommodation and of course, for coordinating the event.

CONGRATULATIONS TO DOTC TASK FORCE ON ACCESSIBILITY FOR A FORUM WELL DONE! 

by: Carmen Zubiaga (who happened to be there)

NDPR WEEK OPENS WITH A BIG FUN RUN!!!! SECRETARY SOLIMAN JOINS

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Engr. Bien Mateo of SM Supermalls, Fr. Robert Reyes and
Secretary Dinky Soliman of DSWD and Chairperson of NCDA
join the PARM MOVE Manila Fun RUN.

The Alyansa ng Maykapansanang Pinoy (AKAPPINOY) and the Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (PARM) in coordination with the National Council on Disability Affairs opened the weeklong Celebration of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week (July 17-23) with  PARM MOVE Manila, a FUN Run for all- PWDs and Non PWDs at the Quezon Memorial Circle this July 17 at 5:00am.  Secretary Dinky Soliman of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Chairperson of NCDA,  joined the opening of the celebration together with the Running Priest, Fr. Robert Reyes and Engr. Bien Mateo of SM Supermalls.  Persons with Disabilities from different organizations joined the fun run together with advocates, professionals and parents of children with disabilities and adults with developmental and learning disabilities.   The fun run is a fund raising project of PARM to support the programs of PWD organizations and individuals in need of capital for livelihood projects, medical support and other projects of PWDs. PARM is also the chair organization for this year's celebration. 

"ISAKATUPARAN ANG KARAPATAN NG PILIPINONG MAY KAPANSANAN"


(MAKING THE RIGHTS OF FILIPINOS WITH DISABILITIES 
REAL)












This year's theme, "ISAKATUPARAN ANG KARAPATAN NG PILIPINONG MAYKAPANSANAN" (MAKING THE RIGHTS OF FILIPINOS WITH DISABILITIES REAL), reflects the wish of the persons with disability sector for their rights to be recognized. The highlight of this years's celebration is the pronouncement of the COMMISSION ON ELECTION for a NATIONAL REGISTRATION OF VOTER'S WITH DISABILITIES in coordination with AKAPPINOY, the national federation of PWD organizations and advocates and SM Supermalls nationwide during the  week long celebration. AKAPPinoy member organizations in different parts of the country coordinated with their local COMELEC Offices for satellite registrations mostly at SM Mall branches. In National Capital Region, satellite registrations will be conducted in SM Megamall, North EDSA, SM Fairview, San Lazaro, Sta. Mesa, LAs Pinas and SM Taytay. Today, PWDs of Bacolod also opened their celebration and will conduct their satellite registration in SM Bacolod. The same thing will also take place in Visayas and Mindanao. COMELEC recently organized the Interagency Network of DPOs, NGOs and Government Agencies on PWD Empowerment in Political and Public Life in compliance with Article 29 0f the UNCRPD. COMELEC recently signed Resolution 9220, providing assistance to PWD voters during registration and election. 
There are many activities during the week organized by different organizations such as the Entrepreneurship Appreciation Course led by DOLE and WOWLEAP and some members of the PWD for Economic Development and Empowerment, Sensitivity Seminar for Air Transport Sector spearheaded by DOTC, K12 Forum led by CHED and Autism Society Philippines among others. Please refer to the list of activities

MEET THE INSPIRING WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES-

As a part of the Women With Disability celebration program held at the SM City SKYDOME last March 25, 2011, eight women with disabilities and 2 groups of women with disabilities were given recognition for their inspiring works and achievement in their fields. Most of them are leaders in their communities and actively participating in different activities empowering people with disabilities. The recognition was given by the Inter-agency Network on Women With Disabilities chaired by Carmen Zubiaga, President of WOWLEAP (Women With Disabilities Leap to Social Progress), Architect Rizal Morales, representative of Department of Transport and Communication as Co-Chair. Here are some brief backgrounds of their inspiring lives: 

DR. JEANA LACSAMANA MANALAYSAY

For her achievement in re-integrating herself in professional practice, Doc Jeana's experience is an inspiration for those who got their disabilities later in life. Her disability did not stop her to continue practicing her profession as a dentist and upgrading her knowledge to be more competitive in her field. Living with disability and the barriers she faces everyday developed her as an advocate for accessible environment for PWDs. In spite of her busy clinic schedules, she attended seminars, forums and training for PWDS in advocacy. She is one of the founding members of the Las Pinas Federation of Persons with Disabilities and together with other PWDs from different barangays, lobbied to be recognized by their local government. 

She also share her expertise and free service with her fellow PWDS in Las Pinas by organizing medical and dental mission and advocating for accessibility and 20% discount for PWDs. No doubt, she's really PWEDE!!!

MARIA VICTORIA MANRIQUE 

1.   For her commitment in promoting the interest and concerns of persons with disabilities sector in legislative agenda, the PWD sector welcomed this recognition for Avic. The respect that she gets from the sector was borne out of more than 20 years of serving the House of Representative as Secretary of the Committee on Social Services. Through the years of her representation with the NCDA Working Group, she listened to the needs of the sector and quietly pushed for the development of legislation for their benefit. She also supported most of the inter-agency activities such as the NDPR Week, CPAP Week, Women WIth Disability Day among others. 

    Ms. Manrique’s battle with chronic illness made her one with the sector and did not stop her to incessantly work with commitment. She continuously shares her time and expertise in every undertaking where she is needed. What is remarkable about her is the relationship she developed with each PWDs who knew her.She is one of the few government employees who really serve the sector given to her. AVIC is another PWEDE!

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ARCHT. RIZAL MORALES- ISA KANG PWEDE!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

June 19 is a day of national observance because it is the birthday of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. On this same day this year, falls the Father's Day, the time of the year when everyone honors all the GOOD FATHERS. Most of the people who were named RIZAL are also celebrating their birthdays today! And one of them is Architect RIZAL MORALES of DOTC . He is not just a mere DOTC employee, but an advocate of the persons with disabilities sector within the transport sector. Archt. Morales is the Focal Person on Disability of DOTC since 2006 and during his period of involvement, the sector has seen how he works with commitment to the people he wants to serve. As a member of the NCDA Subcommittee on Accessibility, he participated actively in pushing for policies to make transport accessible for PWDs. He first capitalized on what is existing knowing that government is not as efficient as everyone expected. He moved the participation of the entire DOTC branches by organizing the DOTC Task Force on Accessibility, involving agencies on sea, air and land transport. Through his initiatives, they worked together on how to use existing policies and resources to make the transport system accessible to PWDs. He organized seminars and trainings on disability and sensitivy to their needs. He is also open and willing to listen to the sector and participated in major PWD events such as Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week, Women With Disability Day, International Day of PWDs, NDPR Week and many other activities where he acted as Co Chair with lead PWD organization.

What is striking about this man is his commitment and willingness to help everyone and even influence people to do the same. When a PWD files a complaint about drivers who refused to take them for a ride, he will extend extra effort to expedite quick hearing to reprimand operators or drivers. He goes beyond his normal duty as government official to help individuals, from accompanying groups of PWDs for caroling every Christmas, to requesting for wheelchairs for individuals whom he happened to see the need.

He has the extraordinary ability to bond people together and work for the success of every project. He is always the first to say "IT'S a success!"

Archt. Morales is also an active servant of his church serving as lay minister and member of the Knights of Columbus. A God-fearing man, a committed husband and family man makes him a GOLDEN MAN!

As a friend and colleague, I wish you all the best in life and please continue to be the person we have known from the beginning, since we met in Tokyo International Center during our JICA days and that was 16 years ago. I thank GOD that our paths crossed again and for sure, HE knows that we are partners in mission to make a better road for the PWD sector. You are a Person With extreme Determination to empower PWDs! NOW, YOU ARE A GOLDEN PWEDE!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RIZAL!!!!