Mayor: More progs set for Bontoc PWDs

Municipal Disability Affairs Officer Maria Codeo and some of the PWDs and their families pose beside the handicrafts they made which they sell at affordable prices. // Photo by Jovi T. Lopez 

By Alpine L. Killa- Malwagay

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., bared more programs to make it easier for persons with disabilities (PWDs) to engage in mainstream of society.
    In observance of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week on July 17-23, the Bontoc Municipal Disability Affairs Office set activities for PWDs in this capital town.
    Municipal Disability Affairs Officer Maria Codeo, said PWDs participated in  consultation of relevant laws in promotion of PWDs' welfare and underwent training on dishwashing, fabcon, and soap making on July 18-19 at the Municipal Capitol auditorium.
    Codeo said organized PWDs in 16 barangays of Bontoc will also receive starter kits for dishwashing, fabcon, and soap making as they market their products in their respective barangays.
    The income will be included as seed capital for the respective organizations should they venture into other livelihood or income-generating projects.
    PWDs also received their PWD IDs and purchase booklets.
    Notable among these are 20% discounts for the purchase of medicine, dental services, food services at restaurants, and transportation fares.
    They are qualified to avail of the 5% discount on the purchase of basic commodities and non-inclusion of the 12% VAT.
    Mayor Tudlong lauded the commitment of Codeo and PWDs in every barangay for their unity in asserting their rights as stipulated in the Magna Carta (for Persons with Disabilities) and develop their personal capabilities.
    The mayor said PWDs were one of the sectors of society that should not be left behind but instead be given equal opportunity. He assured support of the Bontoc LGU for  improvement of the well-being of the PWDs in the municipality and their integration into the mainstream of society.
    Per record from the MDAO, there are 723 PWDs in Bontoc.
    Their names were registered in the Philippine Registry System.
    Types of disability include deaf or hard of hearing, intellectual disability, learning disability, mental disability, orthopedic disability, physical disability, psychosocial disability, speech, and language impairment, and visual disability.