From Left to Right: Student winners Nathaniel Edward Q. Dimalanta, Mark Christian D. Evangelista, Rey Chabby C. Estrera and Kahlil A. Guanco of the Philippine team proudly showcase their certificates of recognition and medals with an official of the 2016 Global IT Challenge (GITC) for Youth with Disabilities during its awarding ceremony held in Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China last November 25, 2016.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) commended the brilliance of Filipino youth with disabilities who brought pride to the country through their impressive participation in the 2016 Global IT Challenge (GITC) for Youth with Disabilities held in Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China last November 21-25, 2016.

The young participants bagged the Gold prize for the E-Design team competition, E-Lifemap individual competition (Hearing category), and E-Lifemap individual competition (Visual category), and the Silver prize for the E-Tool individual competition (Hearing category), and E-Tool individual competition (Visual category).

The Philippine team was composed of Kahlil A. Guanco from Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School, Mark Christian D. Evangelista from the Philippine National School for the Blind, Nathaniel Edward Q. Dimalanta from the Philippine School for the Deaf, and Rey Chabby C. Estrera from the National Orthopedic Hospital – School for the Crippled Children

The GITC is an event that challenges youth from 13-19 years old with visual, hearing, mobility and intellectual disabilities to overcome the barriers in utilizing Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) to solve problems.

Support for PWDs

Meanwhile, DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo reiterated her calls to support persons with disabilities (PWDs) through the 10-Point Development Agenda which was drafted last November during the first National PWDs Summit.

“The 10-Point Development Agenda for PWDs is a development agenda made by PWDs for PWDs. It contains a comprehensive guideline to ensure that government programs and services for PWDs will be prioritized and that existing policies and laws for PWDs will be properly enacted,” said Sec. Taguiwalo.

“After reviewing the proposed PWDs development agenda, we will ensure that the President will receive a copy of it and that it will be one of the major considerations in the crafting of the Duterte administration’s Philippine Development Plan. We want to ensure that all government initiatives will help PWDs to become productive members of the society and that their rights are upheld and protected,” the Secretary ended. ###