By Emil G. Gamos
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Nov.30 (PNA)–Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado on Sunday inspected the pathways, bar railings and other facilities intended for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) at the provincial capitol and at the Bulacan Medical Center to personally see that PWDs can move with ease whenever they seek government assistance and services in the province.
Alvarado said that he is happy to declare that Bulacan has complied with the mandate of Republic Act 7277, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.
He said that under the provision of the law, “the state shall give full support to the improvement of well-being of disabled persons and their integration into the mainstream of society.”
The governor, together with Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office chief Rowena Joson, inspected the special lanes designed for PWDs, senior citizens and pregnant women in key areas of the provincial capitol including comfort rooms where special toilets for the disabled were constructed.
“We want to make sure that our PWDs can move with ease and feel that they are very much welcome and being properly taken cared of,” Alvarado, who is also the chairman of the Provincial Council on Disability Affairs (PCDA), said.
Alvarado also visited the new office for PWDs at the provincial capitol building.
The Provincial PWDs office will be managed by the Federation of Disabled Persons in Bulacan headed by Melinda Alejandro (president), Melissa Sangil (Provincial Federation District 1 public relations officer), Dra. Ma. Luisa Ronquillo (provincial federation assistant treasurer) and Paciencia V. Morada (community affairs officer and Bulacan PWDs focal person).
Aside from complying with the Magna carta for PWDs, Joson also said that Governor Alvarado and the provincial government are actively sponsoring scholarships for deserving PWDs as well as enrolling them to the “point of care” policy of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
She also said that the provincial government is actively supporting PWDs every time they participate in Philippine National Games for PWDs.
Joson also added that the provincial government is also providing livelihood opportunities as well as sponsoring capacity building seminars, forums and conferences for PWDs.
Bulacan has consistently been adjudged as “Outstanding PWD Friendly Province” in Central Luzon for the year 2012 and 2013. (PNA)