The catch-all strategy for persons with disabilities of the provincial government here has entered the national finals for the Paglaray Award, which recognizes best practices of local government units in implementing social welfare and development programs.

The Community-Based Inclusive Development (CBID) program “Catch-all Strategy for Persons with TheseAbilities” underwent validation on Thursday where national validators interviewed stakeholders and visited the center in this capital town, said Careen Panaguiton, Provincial Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) designated head.

“Through the Catch-all strategy for Persons with TheseAbilities, there are various services that have been extended to persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Antique,” Panaguiton said in an interview on Friday.

The center provides free physical therapy or rehabilitation services to indigent children and adults suffering from cerebral palsy and stroke.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office also partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) for the enrollment of PWD learners; provided livelihood programs on handicrafts, t-shirts, and bag-making; and holds Festival of Talents and Search for Ms. Inclusion Advocate to promote social involvement.

PDAO also holds talks on PWD women’s rights, leadership, advocacy, and empowerment training at the municipal and barangay levels.

“There’s accessibility audit and training on accessibility for engineers and architects conducted by the PDAO with its partner agencies,” Panaguiton said.

As of Oct. 3, the PDAO profiled 17,427 PWDs registered with the Philippine Registry for Persons with Disability, which would be the basis of the national government when providing privileges and incentives to the sector.

One of the validators, Rosemarie Joy Lugtu, DSWD Policy Development and Planning Bureau-Policy and Research Division Economist, said they saw the passion of PDAO personnel in reaching out to the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) to profile the PWDs.

“We know that the PWDs have limitations that the PSWDO-PDAO personnel are really the ones reaching out to profile them,” she said in an interview.

She added that livelihood programs for Antique PWDs in Antique changed the stigma that they are a burden for they help send indigent children to school, like in the municipality of Bugasong.

“The CBID Center is also able to provide rehabilitation to children who are now able to show some improvements,” Lugtu said.

The provincial ordinance adopting and implementing the CBID program for PWDs in Antique ensures the program implementation in the province.

The DSWD will announce the winner of the Paglaray Award during their Knowledge Fair on Nov. 20-22, 2024. (PNA)