ZAMBOANGA CITY — In line with the celebration of National Disabilities Prevention Week, the Department of Labor and Employment IX in coordination with the Zamboanga City Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) conducted a one-day consultation and orientation of relevant Laws in the Promotion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) on July 16, 2019 at the Astoria Hotel , Zamboanga City.

This year’s NDPR Celebration is anchored on the theme, “Lokal na Pamahalaan: Kabalikat sa Pagtupad ng Karapatan ng mga Taong May Kapansanan” which emphasizes the role of the government in implementing programs and providing services to PWDs towards the improvement of their living conditions.

Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo shared that DOLE is mandated to facilitate PWDs’ access to employment opportunities and other services beneficial to them. Thus there is a need for this particular sector to be updated on issuances and relevant laws that promote their welfare and protect their interest.

A total of 100 PWDs from all over Zamboanga Peninsula were oriented on the programs of social services such as SSS, Philhealth and Pag-Ibig. They also learned about the salient features of DOLE’s livelihood program, Labor and Employment Education Services, Employees Compensation Program as well as Occupational Safety and Health Law.

Participants were also given the opportunity to air their issues and concerns on availing said programs and services.

Meanwhile, a total of six (6) visually and orthopedically impaired graduates of skills training AVRC– 7 have recently received livelihood starter kits for baking, commercial cooking and rice trading amounting to Php 120,000.00 under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP).

NDPR week is annually celebrated every July 17-23 to primarily stimulate awareness on the issues and problems of disability, thereby encouraging every citizen of the country to take active responsibility in the upliftment of the economic and social conditions of PWDs of our society. ###