UMWAD Project Newsletter January 2011

8/13/2019 UMWAD Project Newsletter January 2011

1/8

1

62 years later, persons with disabiliesconnue to be denied of their human rightsand kept at the lower margins of society inmany parts of the world.

In the Philippines, several laws have

been passed such as the 1983 AccessibilityLaw (Batas Pambansa 344), the 1992 MagnaCarta for Disabled Persons (Republic Act7277) and its corresponding amendments(RA 9442 in 2007 and RA 10070 in 2010).

However, implementaon has been a bigproblem and majority of persons withdisabilies connue to be denied equalopportunies in employment, health,educaon, social services, accessibility, and

polical & civil rights.The Philippines has signed and raed

in 2008 the UN Convenon on the Rights ofPersons with Disabilies thus it has a legalobligaon to promote, protect and ensurethe full and equal enjoyment of all humanrights and fundamental freedoms by personswith disabilies. It is thus paramount thatthe exisng laws on disability are strictlyimplemented at the naonal and local levels

and violators are sanconed accordingly.On the other hand, persons with disabiliesshould always be proacve in demandingtheir rights to ensure that they have equalopportunies in all aspects of life. [J. Rom]

Leaders of Disabled Peoples Organizations (DPO), Community-Based

Rehabilitation (CBR) focal persons, persons w ith d isabilities (PWD), and

local supporters marched through the streets of Batad on December 15,

2010, to advocate for the protection and fulllment of the human rights of

persons with disabilities.Photo by Raphy Imperial

Adopted and proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United

Naons in 1948, the Universal Declaraon on Human Rights recognizes

that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and thateveryone is entled to all rights and freedoms without disncon of any

kind. As such, persons with disabilies should be accorded the same human

rights, just like everyone else.

Every Human Has Rights!


2/8

2

Visually impaired masseur getsHuwaran nga May Kasablagan Award

Daniel Jarencio (2nd from left) pose wi th organizers and alumni of the Ford Foundation International Fellowship Program.

2

He is a visually impaired masseur whose kind heart led himto adopt an abandoned one year old boy with ausm

and visual impairment, whom he treats like a son. That

is Daniel G. Jarencio, this years Huwaran nga may Kasablagan

(Model Person with Disability) in the search conducted by the

Iloilo City Social Welfare and Development Offi ce, Offi ce of

Persons with Disability Affairs in cooperaon with Handicap

Internaonal - UMWAD Project and the Internaonal Fellowship

Program Alumni Associaon (IFPAA), last December 3, 2010.

Daniel has been visually impaired since he was six years old

when he contracted measles. He was always bullied about his

impairment that he decided to drop out of elementary school

in their village of Lagdungan in the mountainous area of Tapaz,

Capiz. Daniel, however, did not despair and tried to learn skillsas masseur. He moved to Iloilo in 1991 where he soon married a

fellow visually impaired masseuse, Irene de la Cruz, with whom

he has two children, aside from his adopted visually impaired

son Ricor.

Daniel is now 45 years old and currently serves as treasurer

of the Philippine Blind Union-Iloilo Chapter (PBUIC), where he

has been a member since 1992. In 2006, Daniel was a speaker

presentor of an invesgave report on alternave medicine at the

Central Philippine University. His paper Strategic Intervenon

for the PBUIC Inc. was among the nalists in a presentaon

organized by the University of the Philippines in the Visayas in

2009.

Daniel was among the six finalists who competed forthe Huwaran award. The others were Meldy P. Horario, a

junior at the Associated Computer systems Institute taking up

Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, who had her leg

amputated because of a tumor; Victoria Pedrajas, a 49-year-

old visually impaired massage therapist from Molo; Celona

Villahermosa, an accounting graduate from the University of

San Agustin, who has a physical impairment because of polio

but manages a sari-sari store to support her parents; John

Kin Lambuson, a 26-year-old athlete from Jaro, third place

winner in the Wheelchair Marathon in Nagoya Japan in 2008;

and, Cid Henry Ericson Tampo, known as El Cid, 21 years

old, diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder

but a BA Hotel and Restaurant Management student.Jasper Rom, Project Manager of Handicap Internaonals

UMWAD Project, said the PWD being honored in the event were

among the 10 percent global populaon of PWD, and oen

belong to the poorest. He said in his message that the many

accomplishments aributed to the PWD through the help of

various agencies show that despite their disabilies, PWD are

capable of contribung to progress.

The search was in observance of the Internaonal Day of

Persons with Disabilies carrying the theme: Keeping the Promise:

Mainstreaming Disability in the Millennium Development Goals

towards 2015 and beyond.

Source: Philippine Information Agency 6 / ESS, December 6, 2010.


3/8

3

UMWAD Project joins IDPWD celebration at SM City Iloilo

Barbaza DPOcelebrates the IDPWD

A parade inside the SM City Mall amazed some shoppers as

elegantly dressed and good looking nominees of the Huwaran nga

may Kasablagan (Model Person with Disability) Awards marched

inside the mall with their supporters, families and friends.It was heart-warming that while we directed traffi c, onlookers

clapped and shouted out, Congratulaons, job well done! This

situaon was not part of our plan as it happened right aer the

ribbon-cu ng for the photo exhibits and only with the intenon of

having everyone walking in an orderly manner towards the venue of

the ceremonies several meters away.

The Model PWD Awards showed the different achievements

and inspiring stories of the six nominees. Despite their impairments,

they became successful in the elds of sports, educaon, arts,

governance and public service. The winners are truly an inspiraon

for all.

The Model PWD Awards emphasizes that persons withdisabilies are also producve members of society and have major

roles in the development of our naon.

The Municipality of Laua-an joined the world in celebraon

of Internaonal Day of Persons with Disabilies last December

3, 2010. A week prior to the day of the celebraon, members

of CBR and DPO with the blessing of our Local Chief Execuve,

Mayor Aser S. Baladjay, joined hands in seeking the support of

generous Lauan-ons for the benet of persons with disabilies

especially those who are housebound.

The people of Laua-an also shared various goods such as

rice, canned goods, clothes, and other basic commodies for

the celebraon. The Municipal Social Welfare and Development

Offi ce and Local Government Unit also gave ve sacks of rice.

CBR workers and the offi cers of the Associaon of Persons with

Disabilies in Laua-an, Anque (APILA) gladly did the packing

for the gi giving acvity. During the IDPWD itself, we went

to seven barangays with Vice Mayor Marialyn Necor for the

distribuon of goods to 91 persons with disabilies. These are

Barangay Sanago, Capnayan, Paningayan, Jaquiquican, Maria,and Guinbanga-an.

Everyone was grateful not only for the gis but for the

opportunity to celebrate the spirit of Christmas.

The IDPWD in Barbaza was held on December 3, 2010

parcipated by almost 140 persons with disabilies and their

families, Barbaza Disabled Peoples Organizaon (BPDO) offi cers,

and CBR workers headed by Mrs. Prechie S. Alavata. The program

was hosted by yours truly. Municipal mayor Faith E. Franciso,

expressed her full support to the CBR program especially to the

DPO organizaon in Barbaza. BDPO offi cers and CBR workers

facilitated the games such as relay, singing and dancing contest.

Everyone enjoyed especially the persons with disabilies and

their families.

About 51 housebound persons with disabilies were also

given gis. Though surprised, they appreciated the thoughulnessof the community. Hopefully, acvies like these would go on

and more PWD will join us in celebrang our freedom and rights

as part of the Barbaza community.

Participants of the Model PWD Search Parade in SM City on December 3, 2010

By Edward Ello

By Delia Espenido, Municipal CBR Coordinator

By Hilaria Flores, BPDO President

Laua-an celebrateswith a heart

2

0

1

0


4/8

4

The consultative meeting was held last November

23, 2010 together with the five target municipalities to

finalize the 2011 project action plan and integrate their

activities. The meeting was attended by three mayors

namely: Mayor Larry Villanueva of San Dionisio, Mayor

Milliard Villianueva of Concepcion and Mayor Pedro

Alarcon of Batad. The ever supportive Iloilo Provincial

Social Welfare and Development Officer (PSWDO)

Dr. Neneth Q. Pador, welcomed the participants and

emphasized that persons with disabilities are important

members of the society and must have the appropriate

services that they deserve. Mayor Rony Molina, of San

Jose Antique also came and gave his inspirational message

and experience in managing CBR in his municipality.

The consultative meeting aimed to build on a

consensus on the project action plan for 2011, define

activities and identify needed resources to implement

the plans in a participative manner. It comes to the

point that we discuss the future schedule for Human

Rights and Disability training, Human Rights Forum

of Antique and Iloilo, the training for best practices,

organizational development and CBR activities. We

also agreed on the target submission for DPO project

proposals in each Local Government Units.

During the open forum, Mayors from northern

Iloilo also committed that they will provide financial

support to proposed projects of the Disabled Peoples

Organization (DPO) but they need to conduct a

feasibility study to justify if the proposed livelihood

projects are feasible.

The consultative meeting was held on October

29 at the EON Centennial Plaza Hotel in Iloilo City

Participants were stakeholders from the five target

municipalities and representatives of the Provincial

Social Welfare Office (PSWDO) as well as the Office

of Persons with Disability Affairs (OPDA) of Iloilo City.

The meeting was also graced by Laurence Boymond

of HI Switzerland and HI Philippines program director

Catherine Vasseur who formally informed the

group that the UMWAD project is funded under the

Australian Aid (AusAid) Human Rights Grants Scheme

(HRGS) Program since June 2010.

The meeng aimed to present project updates based on

expected results to the stakeholders and get their feedback

and proposions on the observed strengths and weaknesses

of the project in their municipality. It also aimed to review the

logical framework developed with stakeholders in February

2010 and discuss strategies of implementaon and human

rights based approaches that will promote, protect, and

ensure the rights of persons with disabilies. Inial planning

for 2011 was also made and will be connued in a succeeding

meeng in November.

Consultative meeting at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol

UMWAD Project holds consultative meeting with stakeholders

By Edward Ello

By Jasper Rom

Project stakeholders from Antiq ue and Iloilo pose with Handicap International - Program Director Catherine Vasseur (second from left - back row)


5/8

5

Persons with Disabilities of the Municipality of

Batad held their culminating activity and Christmas

party simultaneously. This activity was spearheaded by

Batad Persons with Disabilities Organization with the full

support of Municipal officials headed by Mayor Pedro

Alarcon, CBR workers, Rural Health Unit, Municipal

Social Welfare and Development Office, and Barangay

Captains. This one day activity was held Dec. 15, 2010

in Batad Municipal gymnasium; commencing with foot

parade then followed by a homily by the town priest.

After the lunch break, parlor games then ended with thegift giving.

Rev. Father Bernard Taipan, the town priest who

gave the homily over 170 participants was proud to say

Since I began my priesthood, this is the first time I gave

a homily for persons with disabilities and it was only

here in Batad.

This activity was a showcase of their talent, skill

and a way of embracing the Christmas spirit with the

community supporting them. Visitors that are present in

the occasion were Dolores Laudenorio, OP DA head Iloilo

City, Raphy Imperial, HI Community Organizer , Bobby

Pahayahay CBR Coordinator Concepcion, different

Barangay Captains and LGU officials headed by Vice

The Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Congress

was celebrated with the PWD Christmas Party last Dec.

18, at the Concepcion Municipal Gymnasium. Officers

and members of CBR and the Association of Person

with Disabilities in Concepcion Incorporated (ADPCI)

Batad Culminating Activity for 2010

CBR Congress and Christmas Party

5

By Mary Jean Sampiano, CBR Worker

By Novy Deocadez, DPO Secretary and Bobby Pahayahay, Municipal CBR Coordinator

Persons with disabilities and supporters hold hands during the opening

mass of their Christmas party and Culminating Activity

MSWD Ofcer Mary Depalobos gives her message during the 2nd Municipal

CBR Congress in Concepcion

Mayor Harnie Estebal.

The activity culminated with a speech from Vice

Mayor Harnie Estebal who stressed that We Batadnons

are grateful for the support extended by Handicap

International to our persons with disabilities. As a local

government official I will support this program through

legislations that will address the problems of this

sector.

both mainland and island attended the occasion. They

enjoyed the activities prepared such as parlor games,

mixed male and female basketball game between CBR

and PWD, gift giving, and search for Mutya ng CBR.

With the theme Ki nabukasan ng may Kapansanan,

Nakasalalay sa ating mga Kamay (The Future of Persons

with Disabilities are in Our Hands), Mayor Milliard

Villanueva, SB Agustin Garilva with his poem, SB Romeo

Lanciola, Municipal Administrator Carlito Herrera

expressed their full support on the CBR program. They

all believed in the capabilities of the CBR workers and

persons with disabilities to surpass whatever hindrance

they will meet along the way.

In addition, Dr. Helen Minguez, Municipal Health

Officer spoke about the epilepsy program she has been

handling. Two of the programs beneficiaries gave their

testimonies about their experience before and after

availing the said intervention.

HI Community Organizer of Batad & Concepcion,

Raphy Imperial inspired us through his message ofcollaborative effort between the LGU, CBR workers, DPO

officers and persons with disabilities.


6/8

6

Persons with disabilities

mull livelihood projects

The Association of Persons

with Disabilities in Laua-an, Antique

(APILA), Inc. and Barbaza Disabled

Peoples Organization (BDPO)

initiated the first Community-Based

Rehabilitation (CBR) stakeholders

forum in the province of Antique

last October 6, 2010 at San Jose

de Buenavista. The forum was

held to promote CBR in following

with Executive Order 437; report

accomplishments and plans of the

DPO; present project proposalson BDPO multi-purpose canteen

and APILA bamboo craft making;

share CBR/DPO best practices; and

integrate human rights approach in

addressing disability issues.

After the presentation of DPO

project proposals, representatives

from major government agencies

such as Technical Education and Skill s

Development Authority (TESDA),

Department of Trade and Industry

(DTI), Philippine National Police

(PNP), Provincial Social Welfare and

Development Office (PSWDO) and

even from the Provincial Planning

and Development Office (PPDO), the

Association of Disabled Persons (ADP)

in Antique, political leaders from the

Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) and

municipal government signified

their commitment to extend

technical and financial support

to the DPO.

In his keynote speech,

Governor Exequiel Javierencouraged everyone to

take care of persons with

disabilities and help them

live normal lives. He also

mentioned benefactors

who are willing to support

the needs of PWD. The

community needs you,

the governor quipped in

reference to persons with

disabilities as contributors to

community development.

San Jose, Antique The

Association of Persons with

Disabilities (PWD) in the towns

of Laua-an and Barbaza proposedlivelihood projects in their

respective municipalities.

Corazon Dalumpines, president

of the Association of Persons with

Disabilities in Laua-an, Antique

(APILA), said their project will not

only allow them to earn a living but

also provide them an opportunity to

become partners in development.

Their proposed projects are

bamboo-craft for Laua-an and

canteen or food service for Bar baza.

These projects are in coordination

with Handicap International (HI),

a non-government organization

promoting the implementation of

community-based rehabilitation.

Jasper Rom, Project Manager

of UMWAD, said Persons withdisabilities should not remain as

beneficiaries but should become

service providers or play an active

role in development undertakings.

Concerns of persons with

disabilities should be mainstreamed

in development plans so that they

can be agents of progress, he

stressed.

Gov. Exequiel Javier and

representatives of national

government agencies committed

to support the project. Jose

Divinagracia and Marilyn Aguilar,

provincial directors of the

DPO and CBR teams hold AntiqueProvincial Stakeholders Forum

By Edward Ello

Department

of Trade and

Industry and Technical

Education and Skills Development

Authority, respectively, pledged to

support the technical aspect of the

project.

Lazaro Petinglay, provincial

social welfare and development

officer, also reported that the

Sangguniang Panlalawigan of

Antique has already approved an

ordinance creating the Persons

With Disabilities Affairs Office.Source: PIA/PN; Panay News,

October 11, 2010.


7/8

7

DPO officers give testimonies

Last Nov 12, 2010, the DPO of Batad,

Concepcion and San Dionisio joined handsto organize a whole day acvity the

Iloilo Provincial Stakeholders Forum

held at Endielinas Restaurant in Estancia,

Iloilo.

Each DPO presented their respecve

livelihood project proposal to the local

government unit (LGU) offi cials, and other

service providers; primarily to solicit their

commitment to support the proposal upon

submission to their LGU, and secondly;

to seek technical inputs that will help

the project proposal viable even to other

funders or donors.The project proposals presented was

an output of the different trainings that

DPO received from Handicap Internaonals

UMWAD Project. Implemenng each project

will be the praccal applicaon of their

learning aside from having an opportunity

to help their colleagues upli their economic

status. The signing of commitment of each

LGU offi cials and stakeholders highlighted

the occasion. It was a morale booster for

the DPO to know that they are supported

by their offi cials and other organizaonson their efforts to become producve

members of the society and partners in

local development.

The event was aended by 40

parcipants composed of DPO offi cers,

CBR teams, LGU offi cials headed

by Sangguniang Bayan members of

Concepcion & San Dionisio, the Municipal

Planning and Development Offi cer of Batad,

representave from the Alliance of Northern

Iloilo for Health Development (ANIHEAD),

Provincial Senior Acon Offi cer of the

Technical Educaon and Skills DevelopmentAuthority (TESDA), PWD focal person of the

Provincial Social Welfare and Development

Offi ce, and president of the Associaon of

Disabled Persons in Iloilo (ADPI).

The next provincial stakeholders

forum is to be held in Iloilo City and is

aimed at ge ng more stakeholders

involved eventually leading to the

inclusion. of the persons with disabilies

in the mainstream of the society.

During the Anque CBR stakeholders

forum held in the rst week of October

2010, two DPO offi cers gave their

tesmony on how their organizaon

helped them cope beer in life as persons

with disabilies.

Mr. Danilo Tolenno, BDPO secretary,

shared his life story and how the organizaon

enabled him to access aid for assisve

devices from the PSWDO with support from

its head, Mr. Lazaro Penglay. Nong Danny

lost his right leg in a car accident ve years

ago. He gave inial payment for prosthesis

but was not able to pay it in full since he hadalso lost his business. Now, he is very excited

to have his prosthec leg in the rst quarter

of 2011.

Ms. Estrella Flores, APILA treasurer,

has visual impairment and admied to

have low self-esteem. She used to be

shy and very silent. But now, she is more

capable through the previous trainings she

had parcipated in and is more condent

in dealing with other people. She feels

like a bird out of the cage and is ready to

showcase its abilies. Likewise, she said

that ang mga PWD ginakilala na sang

sosyedad (PWD are now being recognized

by the society).

They are only two among many others

who have experienced posive changein their life as members of their disabled

peoples organizaon. This is only a start of

realizing their hopes and aspiraons.

Batad, San Dionisio and Concepcion organizeProvincial Stakeholders Forum

By Raphy Imperial

By EDWARD T. ELLO

Danilo Tolentino delivers his testimony

during the forum.

Participants of the Iloilo provinci al stakeholders forum pose at the end of the activity


8/8

8

Iloilo City Persons with disabilies(PWD) are now in a posion to write newsarcles and take photographs accordingto professional journalisc standards aerundergoing a three-day training on effecvecommunicaon held at the Eon CentennialHotel here.

Twenty-ve PWD and community-

based rehabilitaon coordinators from themunicipalies of Batad, San Dionisio andConcepcion in Iloilo province, and Barbazaand Lau-an in Anque, aended the trainingon November 2426, 2010.

Handicap Internaonal (HI), a non-government organizaon working for theinclusion of PWD, sponsored the training.

The training was superb becauseI learned to be a good communicator

and news writer in the making, saidHilaria Flores, president of Barbaza

Disabled Peoples Organizaon from Barbaza,Anque.

Hazel Villa, a freelance journalist, wringcoach and correspondent of the PhilippineDaily Inquirer, spoke on news wring andphotojournalism and Leo Satana from theCommission on Human Rights discussedhuman rights-based communicaon.

On the other hand, Project Offi cersJonathan Lumogdang and Edward Ello spokeon the concepts and principles of effecvecommunicaon, idencaon of commonbarriers and its praccal mechanisms andacve listening.

This training has given personswith disabilies the ability to effecvelycommunicate not only with their colleaguesbut also with the general community, saidJasper Rom, Project Manager of HandicapInternaonals UMWAD Project.

Handicap Internaonal (HI) is an independentinternaonal aid organisaon working in situaonsof poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster.

Working alongside persons with disabilies andother vulnerable groups throughout the world, ouracon and tesmony are focused on respondingto their essenal needs, improving their livingcondions and promong respect for their dignityand their fundamental rights.

With a network of eight naonal associaons(USA, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany,Luxembourg, Switzerland, and UK), HandicapInternaonal, founded in 1982 and co-recipientof the Nobel Peace prize in 1997, has programsin 60 countries and acts in both emergency anddevelopment situaons.

In the Philippines, the UMWAD Project aimsto increase the capacies of Disabled PeoplesOrganizaons so that they can become integralactors in local development. It is currently fundedthrough the Australian Aid (AusAid) Human RightsGrant Scheme (HRGS) which provides grant fundingto organizaons involved in building the capacity oforganizaons in developing countries to promoteand protect human rights in direct and tangible

ways.

12th Floor, Valero Tower122 Valero St., Salcedo VillageMakati City, Philippines 1223

[email protected]

UMWAD Project Office56 Quezon St., Arevalo

Iloilo City, Philippines 5000Tel. (+63 33) 501-9690

Project Staff:Project Manager

Jasper Rom

Inclusive Local Development Officer

Edward Ello

Field Administrative Assistant

Sheila Arroyo

Community Organizers

Jayrose Plana

Raphy Imperial

Driver

Joebert Prio

Office keeper

Rosie Pernia

Handicap International

in the Philippines

2nd Municipal Congressin Laua-an a success

By Delia Espenido , Municipal CBR Coordinator

By Jonathan Lumogdang

Supported by the Australian Government, AusAID

Persons with disabilitiesupgrade skills in 3-day workshop

Held last December 14, 2010 at the

Municipal covered gym and attended by

250 persons with disabilities, the event

was a success despite the pouring rain

that started early in the morning.

The celebration started with a

grand parade and followed by a program

participated by PWD and their families,

CBR workers and LGU officials headed

by Mayor Aser S. Baladjay, Vice Mayor

Marialyn Necor, Municipal Councillors Tony

Baldestamon, Arnel Magluyan and Mrs.

Clarita Jauod, Municipal Social Welfare

and Development Officer (MSWDO).

CBR Workers facilitated the parlor

games. A PWD from Barangay Santiago

won the first prize in the slogan making

contest. Some winning slogans are: All

people are equal, and Disability is not a

hindrance to success.

This was followed by the distribution

of gifts to persons with disabilities in

barangays that were not reached during

the IDPWD activity.

January 26-28Training on

Human Rights and Disability

February 23

Press Conferencefor Human Rights Forum

February 25Human Rights Forumin Antique and Iloilo

March 10-11DPO Organizational Planning (Antique)

March 15-17DPO Organizational Planning (Iloilo)

Participants at the Effective Communication Workshop.

UMWAD Project Newsletter January 2011

Documents

Transcript of UMWAD Project Newsletter January 2011