Photo 1: Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo (first row second from the left) and Quezon City (QC) Mayor Herbert Bautista (front row middle) present the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the Department with the QC local government and Gawad Kalinga (GK) Community Development Foundation, Inc. for the construction of a 130-two storey housing units for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and their families. Also in photo are (first row from left to right): Pamayanan ng may Kapansanan (PMK) President Romeo Deluna, QC 3rd district Rep. Bolet Banal, GK-Quezon City Head Justine Cruz and other GK representatives.
Photo 2: Sec. Taguiwalo and Mayor Bautista inspect one of the housing units being constructed at the National Vocational Rehabilitation Center (NVRC) compound which will be turned over to PWDs and their families.

Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) today signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Quezon City local government unit (LGU) led by Mayor Herbert Bautista, the Office of Congressman Jorge “Bolet” Banal Jr., and Gawad Kalinga concerning the planned construction of 130 housing units for QC residents who are differently abled.

The housing project for persons with disabilities (PWDs) will be established on a part of the  DSWD’s National Vocational Rehabilitation Center (NVRC) in Brgy. Escopa III.

While the QC LGU will oversee the land development, Gawad-Kalinga will take charge of the housing component. As for the DSWD, as per the MOA, it will ensure the implementation of guidelines that govern the selection and disposition of the home lots.

The intended beneficiaries of the project are the on-site PWD families who will be identified, selected, and pre-qualified by the Beneficiary Selection Committee headed by the DSWD.

The project site, consisting of more or less 5,083 square meters shall be developed in conformity with Batas Pambansa  220 Design Standards (BP220 is entitled “Revised Rules and Standards for Economic and Socialized Housing Projects to Implement Batas Pambansa Blg. 220).   The project will comprise of complete land development and construction of more or less 130 two-storey walk-up housing units with 21 square meters floor area, excluding corridor space.

The DSWD will be primarily responsible in defending the title of the property against any administrative or legal claims, suits, or proceedings. As administrator of the property, make the project site available for development.  The DSWD is the lead agency in the selection of qualified beneficiaries and in the resolution and arbitration of disputes relatives to beneficiary selection. The agency will also formulate a mechanism and/or legal instrument which shall be used and serve as the basis for the distribution and/or award of completed housing units to qualified PWD beneficiaries, and assist in the conduct of community development activities.

Sec. Taguiwalo lauded the project and expressed hope that it will be immediately implemented. She expressed hope that many other LGUs would follow suit and implement projects that will benefit PWDs and help them secure better access to social services, including housing and health care.

According to the 2010 Census of Population and Housing (2010 CPH), there is 92.1 million household population in the country, and 1.4 million persons (or 1.57%) had some form of disability.

“The Philippines still has a long way to go to improve the promotion and enforcement of benefits and privileges for PWDs.

In the same way that many members of the poorest and marginalized sectors of our society are denied vital social services, the rights of many PWDs are also neglected. Many PWDs have productive skills which they use to help themselves make a living, but they need all the assistance they can get.  Providing them with free or socialized housing is a very important service and will significantly ease their financial burdens which are myriad because they need to spend so much on medicine, health services, as well as special equipment,” Sec. Taguiwalo said.

She also appealed to all LGUs to help enforce  RA No. 10754, otherwise known as An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability.

“We hope that all business establishments covered by the law will implement the law and give what is due to PWDs,” Sec. Taguiwalo added. ###

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