HUWARAN. Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao (4th from left) congratulates spouses Greg and Rowena Orquiano (3rd and 5th from left) who were named the Natatanging Pamilyang Person with Disability (PWD) during the opening of the National Disability Rights Week celebration in the province on Thursday (July 18, 2024). Cadiao, in her message, said she does not want any PWD to be left behind in the development of the province. (PNA photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The intensified registration campaign launched by the provincial government of Antique has enlisted about 18,000 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the province.
Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao, in her message at the opening of the National Disability Rights Week celebration in the province on Thursday, said the Provincial Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) went on a barangay-to-barangay registration to reach out to the target sector.
“If before we only registered around 6,000 PWDs, now their number has grown because of the intensified registration,” Cadiao said.
She said their enlistment with the Philippine Registry for PWD is the key to getting assistance from the provincial and national governments.
“With the database, we no longer have to look for the PWDs who would be assisted for we already have their list,” Cadiao said.
During the kick-off activity, spouses Greg and Rowena Orquiano received recognition as the Natatanging Pamilyang PWD (PWD Model Family) to honor their achievements and contributions to their community.
Rowena, president of the PWD Association in Culasi, has inborn polio, while Greg is an amputee. Their physical condition made it difficult for them to raise their three children, so they were thankful for the support from the provincial and municipal governments.
“The livelihood assistance provided by the provincial government will be a big help to us,” she said.
The provincial government is providing a piglet to each registered PWD family.
The province also distributed rice and milk to PWD participants during the celebration.
The Komunidad ng Pamilya, Pasyente at Persons with Disabilities (P3PWD) party-list provided each of the 15 blind elementary-grade learners of the Antique Integrated School with a talking watch.
Further, 11 PWDs were recognized as heroes of their municipalities for their achievements and service to the community despite their disabilities.
Solo parent PWDs and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) PWD officers also took their oath of office after they were organized for the first time in the province.
Vice Governor Edgar Denosta joined the activity and committed to providing assistance, as he was also instrumental in the passage of the ordinance that created the PDAO. (PNA)
