The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) honored persons with disabilities (PWDs) who are successful not only in technical-vocational education and training (TVET) but also in their chosen profession.
Among those given recognition were Mark Lester Artocilla, of Kalibo, Aklan, (Region Vl), 24, blind massage therapist; Ramon Villanueva, Jr., 38, Cauayan City, Isabela (Region ll) polio victim, registrar and systems administrator at an IT-centric school; Ruel Abellar, 38, Compostela (Region Xl), polio victim, IT-teacher; and Domingo Literal, 43, (Region lV-A), orthopedic, computer systems technician and participated in regional skills competition.
“I am gladdened that these stories can be told and shared as they can further inspire and give hope to the more than 1.5 million Filipinos with disabilities. These stories show that nothing can stand in the way of the human spirit to rise above difficulties and challenges,” TESDA Director General, Sec. Guiling “Gene” A. Mamondiong said.
The TESDA chief added that the inspiring stories of these graduates not only show that nothing can stand in the way of the human spirit to rise above difficulties and challenges but also prove that there are individuals, organizations and institutions that look beyond physical impairments and focus instead on the sincere desire of persons to make a difference and be productive members of society.
Mamondiong said that the PWDs will be honored as part of the opening program of 40th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week which will be held at the Jose F. Diaz Stadium in San Mateo, Rizal on July 17. The NDPR week will be celebrated until July 23.
With the theme “Kakayahan at Kasanayan Para sa Kabuhayan, Tungo sa Kaunlaran,” the celebration will be led by TESDA and vice-chaired by the San Mateo city government in tandem with the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), civil society organizations, PWD organizations, business sector, among others.
Mamondiong pointed out the importance given by the present administration to help empower the sector, particularly by being sensitive to the needs of PWDs as he encourages them to take part in nation-building.
The TESDA chief said that the agency will continue to upgrade the programs of TESDA such as requiring training institutions to tie-up with enterprises that have the facilities, equipment and materials that will better cater to the needs of PWD trainees.
He cited the need for improved benefits for the disadvantage sector; flexible policies and regulations of TVET, and special skills training programs must be designed to respond to the specific needs of beneficiaries.
Various activities are lined up for the disabled in celebration of NDPR Week which will be held at the JFD Stadium in San Mateo, Rizal on July 17. These are free haircut, massage, hilot, manicure/pedicure from TESDA Rizal, TVET enrollment, exhibits and displays of PWDs products for sale, Seminar on Entrepreneurship Development, and sports exhibition.
July 18 - Forum on Road Safety (PPA, Port Area, Manila); Children with Disabilities Friendship Game, Philhealth; Orientation for Parents on the Management of the children with Disabilities, (City Hall, General Trial, Cavite), and Deaf Tour Guiding in Intramuros, Rizal Park and National Museum.
July 19 - History and culture contest for PWDs at the NHCP Multi-Purpose Hall, T.M. Kalaw St. Ermita, Manila);
July 20 - Health and social services for PWDs (Grand Opera Hotel, Sta. Cruz, Manila); Palarong Bayani,(Plaza Mabini at Mabini Shrine, Tanauan City, Batangas ang); Draw Disabilities (NORFIL, 16 Mother Ignacia, cor. Roces Avenue, QC);
July 21-Forum on Parenting Children with Special Needs (Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila, Intramuros, Manila); PWD Got Talent (Robinson Place Antipolo); Forum on Philhealth Benefits Package for CWDs and Preparing PWDs for Employment, (NORFIL, Mother Ignacia cor. Roces Ave.,QC).
There will also be free Metro Rail Transit rides for participants of the week-long event from July 17-23 from Baclaran to Roosevelt and LRT2 Santolan up to Recto.
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