Capitol supports PWDs, announces commitment

CEBU, Philippines - The Province of Cebu has signified its commitment to create an inclusive society where the rights of persons with disabilities (PWD) are realized.

Provincial Board Arleigh Jay Sitoy, who chairs the committee on differently-abled persons, represented the province in the signing of the Declaration of Commitment held at the Capitol last Wednesday evening together with PWD organizations and other support groups.

The signing was aimed to rally support from the Province on the general social inclusion for PWDs.

The activity also marked the first-ever launch of the “Fully Abled Nation” in the Philippines, a three-year program of The Asia Foundation in support of Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

Sitoy, in his speech, shared that before he had a stroke, he was already active in promoting the welfare of the PWDs with whom he is now part of.

In 2000, Sitoy led the first Sports Olympics for PWDs which gathered around 1,500 differently-abled persons at the Cebu City Sports Center.

The activity showed the world that despite being handicapped, they are still able to smile, run, dance and do things other people think they could not.

Sitoy continued his advocacy and even doubled his efforts after he became handicapped four years ago.

“Today, you are part of my life because I belong to you. It is my wish, we should not stop there, we should look for other activities to do like other normal persons,” Sitoy said.

One of the tenets of the declaration is the recognition of the rights of persons with disabilities as well as to effectively and actively participate in the conduct of public affairs without discrimination and on an equal basis with others.

Last Monday, Sitoy sponsored a provincial board resolution requesting the Commission on Elections to create special polling places for PWDs.

However, Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano said that the move is not legally feasible and instead proposed that a special board of election inspectors be created to attend to the needs of persons with disability during elections.

Castillano said that is still subject for further study if there is “no legal infirmity.”

Several groups including schools, DPOs and volunteers are now working together to bring PWDs to register and update their records in time for the national and local elections in May 2013. (FREEMAN)