You are on page 1of 8

Leaders of Disabled Peoples Organizations (DPO), Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) focal persons, persons with disabilities (PWD), and

local supporters marched through the streets of Batad on December 15, 2010, to advocate for the protection and fulfillment of the human rights of persons with disabilities. Photo by Raphy Imperial

Every Human Has Rights!


62 years later, persons with disabilities continue to be denied of their human rights and kept at the lower margins of society in many parts of the world. In the Philippines, several laws have been passed such as the 1983 Accessibility Law (Batas Pambansa 344), the 1992 Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (Republic Act 7277) and its corresponding amendments (RA 9442 in 2007 and RA 10070 in 2010). However, implementation has been a big problem and majority of persons with disabilities continue to be denied equal opportunities in employment, health, education, social services, accessibility, and

Adopted and proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights recognizes that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all rights and freedoms without distinction of any kind. As such, persons with disabilities should be accorded the same human rights, just like everyone else.
political & civil rights. The Philippines has signed and ratified in 2008 the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities thus it has a legal obligation to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons with disabilities. It is thus paramount that the existing laws on disability are strictly implemented at the national and local levels and violators are sanctioned accordingly. On the other hand, persons with disabilities should always be proactive in demanding their rights to ensure that they have equal opportunities in all aspects of life. [J. Rom]

Visually impaired masseur gets


Huwaran nga May Kasablagan Award
e is a visually impaired masseur whose kind heart led him to adopt an abandoned one year old boy with autism and visual impairment, whom he treats like a son. That is Daniel G. Jarencio, this years Huwaran nga may Kasablagan (Model Person with Disability) in the search conducted by the Iloilo City Social Welfare and Development Oce, Oce of Persons with Disability Aairs in cooperation with Handicap International - UMWAD Project and the International Fellowship Program Alumni Association (IFPAA), last December 3, 2010. Daniel has been visually impaired since he was six years old when he contracted measles. He was always bullied about his impairment that he decided to drop out of elementary school in their village of Lagdungan in the mountainous area of Tapaz, Capiz. Daniel, however, did not despair and tried to learn skills as masseur. He moved to Iloilo in 1991 where he soon married a fellow visually impaired masseuse, Irene de la Cruz, with whom he has two children, aside from his adopted visually impaired son Ricor. Daniel is now 45 years old and currently serves as treasurer of the Philippine Blind Union-Iloilo Chapter (PBUIC), where he has been a member since 1992. In 2006, Daniel was a speaker presentor of an investigative report on alternative medicine at the Central Philippine University. His paper Strategic Intervention for the PBUIC Inc. was among the finalists in a presentation organized by the University of the Philippines in the Visayas in 2009.

Daniel was among the six finalists who competed for the Huwaran award. The others were Meldy P. Horario, a junior at the Associated Computer systems Institute taking up Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, who had her leg amputated because of a tumor; Victoria Pedrajas, a 49-yearold visually impaired massage therapist from Molo; Celona Villahermosa, an accounting graduate from the University of San Agustin, who has a physical impairment because of polio but manages a sari-sari store to support her parents; John Kin Lambuson, a 26-year-old athlete from Jaro, third place winner in the Wheelchair Marathon in Nagoya Japan in 2008; and, Cid Henry Ericson Tampo, known as El Cid, 21 years old, diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder but a BA Hotel and Restaurant Management student. Jasper Rom, Project Manager of Handicap Internationals UMWAD Project, said the PWD being honored in the event were among the 10 percent global population of PWD, and often belong to the poorest. He said in his message that the many accomplishments attributed to the PWD through the help of various agencies show that despite their disabilities, PWD are capable of contributing to progress. The search was in observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities carrying the theme: Keeping the Promise: Mainstreaming Disability in the Millennium Development Goals towards 2015 and beyond. Source: Philippine Information Agency 6 / ESS, December 6, 2010.

Daniel Jarencio (2nd from left) pose with organizers and alumni of the Ford Foundation International Fellowship Program.

2 0 1 0
Participants of the Model PWD Search Parade in SM City on December 3, 2010

UMWAD Project joins IDPWD celebration at SM City Iloilo


By Edward Ello

A parade inside the SM City Mall amazed some shoppers as elegantly dressed and good looking nominees of the Huwaran nga may Kasablagan (Model Person with Disability) Awards marched inside the mall with their supporters, families and friends. It was heart-warming that while we directed trac, onlookers clapped and shouted out, Congratulations, job well done! This situation was not part of our plan as it happened right after the ribbon-cutting for the photo exhibits and only with the intention of having everyone walking in an orderly manner towards the venue of the ceremonies several meters away. The Model PWD Awards showed the dierent achievements and inspiring stories of the six nominees. Despite their impairments,

they became successful in the fields of sports, education, arts, governance and public service. The winners are truly an inspiration for all. The Model PWD Awards emphasizes that persons with disabilities are also productive members of society and have major roles in the development of our nation.

Laua-an celebrates with a heart


By Delia Espenido, Municipal CBR Coordinator

Barbaza DPO celebrates the IDPWD


By Hilaria Flores, BPDO President

The IDPWD in Barbaza was held on December 3, 2010 participated by almost 140 persons with disabilities and their families, Barbaza Disabled Peoples Organization (BPDO) ocers, and CBR workers headed by Mrs. Prechie S. Alavata. The program was hosted by yours truly. Municipal mayor Faith E. Franciso, expressed her full support to the CBR program especially to the DPO organization in Barbaza. BDPO ocers and CBR workers facilitated the games such as relay, singing and dancing contest. Everyone enjoyed especially the persons with disabilities and their families. About 51 housebound persons with disabilities were also given gifts. Though surprised, they appreciated the thoughtfulness of the community. Hopefully, activities like these would go on and more PWD will join us in celebrating our freedom and rights as part of the Barbaza community.

The Municipality of Laua-an joined the world in celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities last December 3, 2010. A week prior to the day of the celebration, members of CBR and DPO with the blessing of our Local Chief Executive, Mayor Aser S. Baladjay, joined hands in seeking the support of generous Lauan-ons for the benefit of persons with disabilities especially those who are housebound. The people of Laua-an also shared various goods such as rice, canned goods, clothes, and other basic commodities for the celebration. The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Oce and Local Government Unit also gave five sacks of rice. CBR workers and the ocers of the Association of Persons with Disabilities in Laua-an, Antique (APILA) gladly did the packing for the gift giving activity. During the IDPWD itself, we went to seven barangays with Vice Mayor Marialyn Necor for the distribution of goods to 91 persons with disabilities. These are Barangay Santiago, Capnayan, Paningayan, Jaquiquican, Maria, and Guinbanga-an. Everyone was grateful not only for the gifts but for the opportunity to celebrate the spirit of Christmas.

UMWAD Project holds consultative meeting with stakeholders


By Jasper Rom

The consultative meeting was held on October 29 at the EON Centennial Plaza Hotel in Iloilo City Participants were stakeholders from the five target municipalities and representatives of the Provincial Social Welfare Office (PSWDO) as well as the Office of Persons with Disability Affairs (OPDA) of Iloilo City. The meeting was also graced by Laurence Boymond of HI Switzerland and HI Philippines program director Catherine Vasseur who formally informed the group that the UMWAD project is funded under the Australian Aid (AusAid) Human Rights Grants Scheme

(HRGS) Program since June 2010. The meeting aimed to present project updates based on expected results to the stakeholders and get their feedback and propositions on the observed strengths and weaknesses of the project in their municipality. It also aimed to review the logical framework developed with stakeholders in February 2010 and discuss strategies of implementation and human rights based approaches that will promote, protect, and ensure the rights of persons with disabilities. Initial planning for 2011 was also made and will be continued in a succeeding meeting in November.

Project stakeholders from Antique and Iloilo pose with Handicap International - Program Director Catherine Vasseur (second from left - back row)

Consultative meeting at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol


By Edward Ello

The consultative meeting was held last November 23, 2010 together with the five target municipalities to finalize the 2011 project action plan and integrate their activities. The meeting was attended by three mayors namely: Mayor Larry Villanueva of San Dionisio, Mayor Milliard Villianueva of Concepcion and Mayor Pedro Alarcon of Batad. The ever supportive Iloilo Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (PSWDO) Dr. Neneth Q. Pador, welcomed the participants and emphasized that persons with disabilities are important members of the society and must have the appropriate services that they deserve. Mayor Rony Molina, of San Jose Antique also came and gave his inspirational message and experience in managing CBR in his municipality. The consultative meeting aimed to build on a

consensus on the project action plan for 2011, define activities and identify needed resources to implement the plans in a participative manner. It comes to the point that we discuss the future schedule for Human Rights and Disability training, Human Rights Forum of Antique and Iloilo, the training for best practices, organizational development and CBR activities. We also agreed on the target submission for DPO project proposals in each Local Government Units. During the open forum, Mayors from northern Iloilo also committed that they will provide financial support to proposed projects of the Disabled Peoples Organization (DPO) but they need to conduct a feasibility study to justify if the proposed livelihood projects are feasible.

Batad Culminating Activity for 2010


By Mary Jean Sampiano, CBR Worker

Persons with Disabilities of the Municipality of Batad held their culminating activity and Christmas party simultaneously. This activity was spearheaded by Batad Persons with Disabilities Organization with the full support of Municipal officials headed by Mayor Pedro Alarcon, CBR workers, Rural Health Unit, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, and Barangay Captains. This one day activity was held Dec. 15, 2010 in Batad Municipal gymnasium; commencing with foot parade then followed by a homily by the town priest. After the lunch break, parlor games then ended with the gift giving. Rev. Father Bernard Taipan, the town priest who gave the homily over 170 participants was proud to say Since I began my priesthood, this is the first time I gave a homily for persons with disabilities and it was only here in Batad. This activity was a showcase of their talent, skill and a way of embracing the Christmas spirit with the community supporting them. Visitors that are present in the occasion were Dolores Laudenorio, OPDA head Iloilo City, Raphy Imperial, HI Community Organizer , Bobby Pahayahay CBR Coordinator Concepcion, different Barangay Captains and LGU officials headed by Vice

Mayor Harnie Estebal. The activity culminated with a speech from Vice Mayor Harnie Estebal who stressed that We Batadnons are grateful for the support extended by Handicap International to our persons with disabilities. As a local government official I will support this program through legislations that will address the problems of this sector.

Persons with disabilities and supporters hold hands during the opening mass of their Christmas party and Culminating Activity

CBR Congress and Christmas Party


By Novy Deocadez, DPO Secretary and Bobby Pahayahay, Municipal CBR Coordinator

The Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Congress was celebrated with the PWD Christmas Party last Dec. 18, at the Concepcion Municipal Gymnasium. Officers and members of CBR and the Association of Person with Disabilities in Concepcion Incorporated (ADPCI)

MSWD Officer Mary Depalobos gives her message during the 2nd Municipal CBR Congress in Concepcion

both mainland and island attended the occasion. They enjoyed the activities prepared such as parlor games, mixed male and female basketball game between CBR and PWD, gift giving, and search for Mutya ng CBR. With the theme Kinabukasan ng may Kapansanan, Nakasalalay sa ating mga Kamay (The Future of Persons with Disabilities are in Our Hands), Mayor Milliard Villanueva, SB Agustin Garilva with his poem, SB Romeo Lanciola, Municipal Administrator Carlito Herrera expressed their full support on the CBR program. They all believed in the capabilities of the CBR workers and persons with disabilities to surpass whatever hindrance they will meet along the way. In addition, Dr. Helen Minguez, Municipal Health Officer spoke about the epilepsy program she has been handling. Two of the programs beneficiaries gave their testimonies about their experience before and after availing the said intervention. HI Community Organizer of Batad & Concepcion, Raphy Imperial inspired us through his message of collaborative effort between the LGU, CBR workers, DPO officers and persons with disabilities.

DPO and CBR teams hold Antique Provincial Stakeholders Forum


By Edward Ello

The Association of Persons with Disabilities in Laua-an, Antique (APILA), Inc. and Barbaza Disabled Peoples Organization (BDPO) initiated the first Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) stakeholders forum in the province of Antique last October 6, 2010 at San Jose de Buenavista. The forum was held to promote CBR in following with Executive Order 437; report accomplishments and plans of the DPO; present project proposals on BDPO multi-purpose canteen and APILA bamboo craft making; share CBR/DPO best practices; and integrate human rights approach in addressing disability issues. After the presentation of DPO project proposals, representatives from major government agencies such as Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine National Police

(PNP), Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and even from the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), the Association of Disabled Persons (ADP) in Antique, political leaders from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) and municipal government signified their commitment to extend technical and financial support to the DPO. In his keynote speech, Governor Exequiel Javier encouraged everyone to take care of persons with disabilities and help them live normal lives. He also mentioned benefactors who are willing to support the needs of PWD. The community needs you, the governor quipped in reference to persons with disabilities as contributors to community development.

Persons with disabilities mull livelihood projects


San Jose, Antique The Association of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in the towns of Laua-an and Barbaza proposed livelihood projects in their respective municipalities. Corazon Dalumpines, president of the Association of Persons with Disabilities in Laua-an, Antique (APILA), said their project will not only allow them to earn a living but also provide them an opportunity to become partners in development. Their proposed projects are bamboo-craft for Laua-an and canteen or food service for Barbaza. These projects are in coordination with Handicap International (HI), a non-government organization promoting the implementation of community-based rehabilitation. Jasper Rom, Project Manager of UMWAD, said Persons with disabilities should not remain as beneficiaries but should become service providers or play an active role in development undertakings. Concerns of persons with disabilities should be mainstreamed in development plans so that they can be agents of progress, he stressed. Gov. Exequiel Javier and representatives of national government agencies committed to support the project. Jose Divinagracia and Marilyn Aguilar, provincial directors of the Department of Trade and Industry and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, respectively, pledged to support the technical aspect of the project. Lazaro Petinglay, provincial social welfare and development officer, also reported that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Antique has already approved an ordinance creating the Persons With Disabilities Affairs Office. Source: PIA/PN; Panay News, October 11, 2010.

Batad, San Dionisio and Concepcion organize Provincial Stakeholders Forum


By Raphy Imperial

Last Nov 12, 2010, the DPO of Batad, Concepcion and San Dionisio joined hands to organize a whole day activity the Iloilo Provincial Stakeholders Forum held at Endielinas Restaurant in Estancia, Iloilo. Each DPO presented their respective livelihood project proposal to the local government unit (LGU) ocials, and other service providers; primarily to solicit their commitment to support the proposal upon submission to their LGU, and secondly; to seek technical inputs that will help the project proposal viable even to other funders or donors. The project proposals presented was an output of the dierent trainings that DPO received from Handicap Internationals UMWAD Project. Implementing each project will be the practical application of their learning aside from having an opportunity to help their colleagues uplift their economic status. The signing of commitment of each LGU ocials and stakeholders highlighted the occasion. It was a morale booster for

the DPO to know that they are supported by their ocials and other organizations on their eorts to become productive members of the society and partners in local development. The event was attended by 40 participants composed of DPO ocers, CBR teams, LGU ocials headed by Sangguniang Bayan members of Concepcion & San Dionisio, the Municipal Planning and Development Ocer of Batad, representative from the Alliance of Northern Iloilo for Health Development (ANIHEAD), Provincial Senior Action Ocer of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), PWD focal person of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Oce, and president of the Association of Disabled Persons in Iloilo (ADPI). The next provincial stakeholders forum is to be held in Iloilo City and is aimed at getting more stakeholders involved eventually leading to the inclusion. of the persons with disabilities in the mainstream of the society.

Participants of the Iloilo provincial stakeholders forum pose at the end of the activity

DPO ofcers give testimonies


By EDWARD T. ELLO

During the Antique CBR stakeholders forum held in the first week of October 2010, two DPO ocers gave their testimony on how their organization helped them cope better in life as persons with disabilities. Mr. Danilo Tolentino, BDPO secretary, shared his life story and how the organization enabled him to access aid for assistive devices from the PSWDO with support from its head, Mr. Lazaro Petinglay. Nong Danny lost his right leg in a car accident five years ago. He gave initial payment for prosthesis but was not able to pay it in full since he had also lost his business. Now, he is very excited to have his prosthetic leg in the first quarter of 2011.

Ms. Estrella Flores, APILA treasurer, has visual impairment and admitted to have low self-esteem. She used to be shy and very silent. But now, she is more capable through the previous trainings she had participated in and is more confident in dealing with other people. She feels like a bird out of the cage and is ready to showcase its abilities. Likewise, she said that ang mga PWD ginakilala na sang sosyedad (PWD are now being recognized by the society). They are only two among many others who have experienced positive change in their life as members of their disabled peoples organization. This is only a start of realizing their hopes and aspirations.

Danilo Tolentino delivers his testimony during the forum.

Handicap International (HI) is an independent international aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conict and disaster. Working alongside persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups throughout the world, our action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and their fundamental rights. With a network of eight national associations (USA, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and UK), Handicap International, founded in 1982 and co-recipient of the Nobel Peace prize in 1997, has programs in 60 countries and acts in both emergency and development situations. In the Philippines, the UMWAD Project aims to increase the capacities of Disabled Peoples Organizations so that they can become integral actors in local development. It is currently funded through the Australian Aid (AusAid) Human Rights Grant Scheme (HRGS) which provides grant funding to organizations involved in building the capacity of organizations in developing countries to promote and protect human rights in direct and tangible ways.

2nd Municipal Congress in Laua-an a success


By Delia Espenido , Municipal CBR Coordinator

Held last December 14, 2010 at the Municipal covered gym and attended by 250 persons with disabilities, the event was a success despite the pouring rain that started early in the morning. The celebration started with a grand parade and followed by a program participated by PWD and their families, CBR workers and LGU officials headed by Mayor Aser S. Baladjay, Vice Mayor Marialyn Necor, Municipal Councillors Tony Baldestamon, Arnel Magluyan and Mrs.

Clarita Jauod, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer (MSWDO). CBR Workers facilitated the parlor games. A PWD from Barangay Santiago won the first prize in the slogan making contest. Some winning slogans are: All people are equal, and Disability is not a hindrance to success. This was followed by the distribution of gifts to persons with disabilities in barangays that were not reached during the IDPWD activity.

Handicap International in the Philippines


12th Floor, Valero Tower 122 Valero St., Salcedo Village Makati City, Philippines 1223 mla-ofc@handicapinternational.ph www.handicapinternational.ph

UMWAD Project Ofce


56 Quezon St., Arevalo Iloilo City, Philippines 5000 Tel. (+63 33) 501-9690
Participants at the Effective Communication Workshop.

Project Staff:
Project Manager Jasper Rom Inclusive Local Development Ofcer Edward Ello Field Administrative Assistant Sheila Arroyo Community Organizers Jayrose Plana Raphy Imperial Driver Joebert Prio Ofce keeper Rosie Pernia

Persons with disabilities upgrade skills in 3-day workshop


By Jonathan Lumogdang

January 26-28
Training on Human Rights and Disability

Iloilo City Persons with disabilities (PWD) are now in a position to write news articles and take photographs according to professional journalistic standards after undergoing a three-day training on eective communication held at the Eon Centennial Hotel here. Twenty-five PWD and communitybased rehabilitation coordinators from the municipalities of Batad, San Dionisio and Concepcion in Iloilo province, and Barbaza and Lau-an in Antique, attended the training on November 2426, 2010. Handicap International (HI), a nongovernment organization working for the inclusion of PWD, sponsored the training. The training was superb because I learned to be a good communicator and news writer in the making, said Hilaria Flores, president of Barbaza

Disabled Peoples Organization from Barbaza, Antique. Hazel Villa, a freelance journalist, writing coach and correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, spoke on news writing and photojournalism and Leo Satana from the Commission on Human Rights discussed human rights-based communication. On the other hand, Project Ocers Jonathan Lumogdang and Edward Ello spoke on the concepts and principles of eective communication, identification of common barriers and its practical mechanisms and active listening. This training has given persons with disabilities the ability to eectively communicate not only with their colleagues but also with the general community, said Jasper Rom, Project Manager of Handicap Internationals UMWAD Project.

February 23
Press Conference for Human Rights Forum Human Rights Forum in Antique and Iloilo

Supported by the Australian Government, AusAID

February 25

DPO Organizational Planning (Antique) DPO Organizational Planning (Iloilo)

March 10-11 March 15-17

You might also like