Vice presidential aspirant Sara Duterte on Sunday vowed to replicate Davao City programs for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) by providing them more jobs and livelihood training.
During her visit to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) compound in Escopa, Quezon City for a “meet and greet” with the PWDs of the Quezon City’s Third District, she reiterated how the PWDs in Davao City were given priority in terms of business and livelihood.
She said the City Government of Davao prioritizes the provision of their personally managed offices that will promptly cater to fellow PWDs’ needs.
“In Davao City, PWDs want to have autonomy in running the office. So that’s what we have been working on, that they should be attached to our City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO),” Mayor Sara said, adding that the Davao City Hall employs a considerable number of PWDs.
“We are trying to make them a stand-alone office, our offices along with employees of the City Government of Davao assigned in their offices, they will decide on what policies and projects for their sector,” she added.
Among the attendees in Sunday’s event is Daisy Lumalang, 54, an orthopedic impaired since she was 2 years old, said she is thankful to Duterte for being passionate in serving the underprivileged, especially the PWD sector.
“We are very thankful that Mayor Sara is visiting us because we know she has compassion for everyone, especially to us with disabilities,” Lumalang said.
She added: “Mayor Sara already helped a lot of PWDs. Meaning, she can also do it throughout the country. I have strong faith that she will win,” she added.
Duterte highlighted the importance of business security in different sectors stating that it is the “key to financial stability.”
“Our first directive for every sector in Davao was to provide livelihood because that is the easiest to learn and to earn profit. We also give employment opportunities for those who want to work and not business,” Duterte said.
Republic Act 7277 or Magna Carta for Disabled Persons is “an act providing for the rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance of the disabled person and their integration into the mainstream of society and for other purposes” that was signed into law in 1992.
The implementation of RA 7277, she said, should be strengthened to ensure empowerment assistance for all PWDs in the country.
