PASSI CITY, Iloilo — The Iloilo Provincial Government has intensified its push for disability rights and inclusive governance by convening over a hundred persons with disabilities (PWDs) for a landmark forum that called on local government units (LGUs) to fund and operationalize dedicated Persons with Disability Affairs Offices (PDAOs), as mandated by law.
Held at the City of Passi Arena on June 27, the forum — the first of its kind organized by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) — brought together PWD leaders, local officials, and national agency representatives to discuss persistent challenges in access, inclusion, and participation in public life.
“This forum wanted to address the unique challenges, experiences, and aspirations of PWDs,” said Ma. Christine Roa, PSWDO’s focal person for PWDs. “PWDs often face social, economic, and structural barriers that limit their participation in community life and the decision-making process.”
Themed “Persons with Disability of Iloilo Province: Access to Their Rights, Inclusivity, and Participation,” the event served as both dialogue and call-to-action. Discussions focused on key legislation such as Republic Act (RA) 7277 (Magna Carta for Disabled Persons), Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 (Accessibility Law), RA 10754 (Expanded Benefits and Privileges), and RA 10070, which requires LGUs to establish fully functional PDAOs.
The forum underscored that many local government units still fall short in allocating sufficient budgets for these mandated offices, thus limiting service delivery to the PWD sector.
“Every person, regardless of their physical, mental, sensory, or developmental condition, has an inherent right to be seen, heard, and included in all aspects of society,” stressed Rani Cuarte, PSWDO acting chief. “These gatherings allow us to listen to the voices of persons with disabilities, acknowledge their struggles, celebrate their strengths, and collaborate to drive real change.”
Among those who engaged in the dialogue were representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), local social welfare officers, and Sangguniang Bayan members.
Iloilo PWD Federation president Ana Liza C. Hudierez used the opportunity to raise pressing issues such as the uneven implementation of the 20% discount for PWDs and the lack of barangay-level support programs. Meanwhile, Lilibett Cahomocan, PWD president of Tigbauan, voiced her commitment to advocacy, saying she felt empowered by the event.
In his message of support, Passi City’s Mayor Stephen Palmares offered the continued free use of the City of Passi Arena for future activities of PWD groups and local social welfare initiatives.
Closing the forum, PSWDO Technical Assistance Division Chief Ann Rapunzel Ganzon reminded participants to champion ability over disability — a sentiment echoed in the stakeholders’ symbolic Pledge of Commitment to uphold and promote PWD rights in Iloilo./PN
