The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continuously capacitates the persons with disability (PWD) sector to speak for their rights and welfare, particularly towards lobbying for programs and services to their respective local government units (LGUs).

In the recent Program Implementation Review organized by the DSWD Field Office IV-A, around 60 PWDs raised their concerns about the minimal support of their respective LGUs to the sector. Further, in some areas, LGUs design programs and services for the sector without proper consultation as to what their actual needs are.

According to Cefronia Majuelo, DSWD IV-A Focal Person for PWDs, the Department is advocating that all LGUs should allocate one percent of their yearly budget to programs and services for the PWDs and their organizations as mandated by the law.

“Through venues like this, we empower the PWDs, especially their leaders, to participate in the local governance process through pushing for programs and services that they think they need, instead of just being recipients of programs or services from their LGUs,” said Majuelo.

The participants thanked the DSWD for the opportunity to not just raise concerns in their respective cities / municipalities but also for guiding them towards doing their part for their sector’s welfare.

Virgie Montilla, a PWD and Persons with Disability Affairs Officer of Cainta in Rizal Province, shared that she will continuously lobby for their rights, especially on pushing for the right programs and services that will benefit all of the PWDs in their locality.

The DSWD continuously empowers the vulnerable sectors, including the PWDs, to take part in the local development process through airing their concerns and needs to the government and working towards their own development.# with reports from CAMajuelo