Persons with disabilities (PWDs) should also enjoy a full and active life in spite of their limitations.
That was the main message of San Pedro City’s Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) as it conducted a “Paralympics” 2024 event for the city’s PWDs last Friday, May 31, at Barangay Poblacion’s covered court.
According to the San Pedro City Public Affairs and Information Office (PAIO), the one-day event was “participated in by different organizations of persons with disabilities who are showcasing their skills in sports.”
Persons with various disabilities – whether physical, mental or intellectual – got to engage themselves in various physical and mental games such as volleyball, basketball, badminton, relay games, chess, dama, and even e-sports.
“Encouraged po ang PWDs na sumali or mag participate sa mga activities ng tanggapan once they are already a member of a certain organization,” Joselito Negrosa, officer-in-charge of the San Pedro PDAO, told OpinYon Laguna in a message.
“We want to empower PWDs na may contribution o part sila ng society despite being disabled, sports man or in economics,” he added.
Aside from such activities that aim to encourage San Pedro City’s PWDs to actively participate in society, Negrosa added that the city government under Mayor Art Mercado has instituted programs to assist PWDs.
Not only has the LGU expanded its financial payouts to PWDs, the PDAO also provides other forms of financial assistance, such as medical and burial benefits.
The PDAO, in cooperation with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and various companies in San Pedro City, also conducts regular job fairs for PWDs in order for them to be able to provide for their families and become productive members of society, despite their handicaps.
“Gusto rin po natin na gawing healthy ang lifestyle ng bawat PWD at i-improve yung mga skills and talents nila,” Negrosa pointed out.
These activities, the PDAO head noted, aims to ensure that PWDs in San Pedro City can actively become part of Mayor Mercado’s dream of San Pedro City becoming “Una sa Laguna.”
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