ILOILO — The Iloilo provincial government is mobilizing all 43 local government units (LGUs) for a provincewide, Persons with Disability (PWD)-led blood donation campaign as one of the centerpiece activities of the 48th National Disability Rights (NDR) Week, highlighting the growing role of PWDs as active partners in community development rather than mere beneficiaries of government programs.
The weeklong observance, organized by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), will run from July 17 to 24 under the theme, “Rights First, Legislation Forward: Strategic Action for Equal Participation and Inclusive Development.”
The PWD-led bloodletting activity will be held on July 21 at Casa Real de Iloilo, with each municipality encouraged to send 10 blood donors.
“So the upcoming NDR week will commence on July 17 to July 23. For the province, we will have the culminating activity on July 24. But one of our activities for this NDR is the bloodletting. This is PWD-led bloodletting activity and we are asking all municipalities in the province to join. So, each municipality will come up with 10 donors,” said PSWDO Development Management Officer II and Persons with Disability Affairs Officer (PDAO) designate Ma. Christine Roa.
The provincial government will also culminate the celebration on July 24 with the awarding of the Search for the Most PWD-Friendly Municipality/City, which recognizes LGUs that have demonstrated excellence in promoting the welfare and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Ten municipalities joined this year’s competition, with the champion receiving P50,000 and a plaque, the first runner-up P30,000 and a plaque, and the second runner-up P20,000 and a plaque.
Entries will be evaluated based on planning and policy formulation, resource utilization, service delivery in health, nutrition and social protection, institution-building initiatives such as ramps and other accessibility facilities, PWD participation, and community involvement.
According to the PSWDO, the annual search aims to encourage LGUs to strengthen PWD organizations, establish or enhance Persons with Disability Affairs Offices (PDAOs), build stronger partnerships with non-government and civic organizations, increase PWD participation in local development programs, and allocate more funds for disability-related initiatives.
The annual competition is institutionalized under Provincial Ordinance No. 2015-123, which established the Search for the Most Persons with Disability-Friendly Municipality/City.
Led by PSWDO head Rani Melvi A. Cuarte, the provincial government’s observance also underscores its commitment to empowering the province’s more than 34,000 registered persons with disabilities, encouraging them to take a more active role in government programs and community development./PN