The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) joins the nation in celebrating  the 39th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week (NDPR) from July 17 to 23, 2017 with the theme, “Karapatan at Pribilehiyo ng Maykapansanan: Isakatuparan at Ipaglaban.”

The event, spearheaded by DSWD’s attached agency, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA),  is an opportunity to commemorate the notable contributions of outstanding persons with disabilities (PWDs)  to the development of the country, the most famous of whom is Apolinario Mabini, the Sublime Paralytic and one of the founding members of the Katipunan that led the 1898 Revolution against Spanish colonization.

The celebration also aims to train the spotlight on the different issues and concerns of PWDs, and in the process call for greater public attention to efforts to  uphold the rights and protect the welfare of PWDs in the country.

DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo said that the NDPR Week celebration is an important event that the public should support, especially the families and relatives of PWDs who comprise one of the most vulnerable sectors.

“Sila ang bulnerableng sektor na tunay na nangangailangan ng kalinga at malasakit lalo’t higit kumulang na 15 milyon ang bilang ng mga PWDs sa ating bansa.  Mahalagang bigyan natin ng atensyon at suporta ang mga PWDs at tulungan sila sa kanilang mga pagsisikap na mahasa nila ang kanilang mga angking kakayanan. Ito ang mensahe ng NDPR Week celebration (They belong to the vulnerable sector who truly need care and compassion, especially as there are some estimated 15 million PWDs in the country.  It is important the society and government give them due recognition and assistance,  help them in their efforts to develop their inherent skills, and capacitate them.  This is the core message of every NDPR Week celebration).”

This year, there will be a simultaneous kick-off ceremony on July 17 by all national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), academic institutions, and other entities.

DSWD will host a simple yet significant national kick-off program at the DSWD Central Office.

The ADHD Society of the Philippines will also be joining the opening program which will feature a testimony from one of their PWD members.

NCDA will also lead the recitation of the Loyalty Pledge of Advocates of the PWD Sector.

Other activities will likewise be conducted nationwide starting from July 17 to the end of the month, such as: Seminar on Governance in Health and Wellness for PWDs in LGUs; Quiz Bee on the history and culture of the Philippines with secondary level students with disabilities; Art Workshop and Developmental Games for Children with Disabilities; Seminar on Raising Awareness for ADHD, Lupus,  and Rare Diseases; and a wreathlaying ceremony at the Mabini Shrine on July 23 in time for Apolinario Mabini’s birthday.

The NDPR week celebration will culminate with a cultural presentation, “Handog Sayawan at Kantahan”, to be held at SM San Lazaro, Manila with an all PWD cast who will showcase their talents on stage with song and dance presentations.

The Secretary encouraged the public and the media to participate in the different activities of the NDPR celebration and help raise awareness on the event’s significance to the advocacy for the PWD sector. #