DAVAO ORIENTAL — Persons with Disabilities in Davao Oriental can now feel more the concern and sensitivity of the provincial government to their needs with the move to officially have a Persons with Disability Affairs Office, in compliance to what is stipulated in the law.

In the recently concluded first Persons With Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) General Assembly in the province on May 22, 2019 at Honey’s Hotel and Restaurant, the provincial government delineated the plans to really ensure that the province is on the path in proving once more the prevalence of an inclusive government, with them considered as an enormous inclusion to the development plans of Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang.

The function of the Office was well explained, in fulfilling the thrust of sensitivity to the plight of the PWDs.

Provincial Administrator Art Benjie Bulaong expressed his gladness that the PDAO office will soon be capacitated by hiring the services of four PDAO Assistants.

“The PDAO in the province was first implemented through an Executive Order of Governor Dayanghirang. It is under the Office of the Governor. The main task is to focus on the measures dwelling the welfare of the said sector in society. The Governor even gave his directive to the Local Finance Committee to allocate funds for the Office,” he disclosed.

As such, hopefully the Office will be fully operational and equipped. As yet, the PDAO is manned by a designated focal person.

Mr. Hector Acebo, the President of the Provincial Federation of PWDs, thanked the provincial government for the effort of adopting the RA 10070, through a provincial ordinance approved last March.

“This inspires us, motivates us more to be useful members of society, and we are grateful to the opportunities given to us,” he said.

Bulaong also added that the provincial government will look into the biggest help that it could offer to the persons with disabilities, particularly on their health.

“Also, we are looking on the assistance we can give them in the economic aspect. We will formulate ways for this,” he stressed.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office Department Head Sarah Gudes further explained that the rights and privileges of the PWD’s are fully protected.

“We have the RA 10070 and the Magna Carta for PWDs. Now, we can really say that they are well taken-cared of, since they are the sector that cannot readily access to the services of the government,” she emphasized.

The Provincial Government says that with the setting up of an office that would look after the need of this sector, the PWDs can now demand for things that are rightfully theirs as they are also bound to prove themselves, their capabilities, and their rightful place in the sun. Photos by Rhea Shane Laureano