New center for persons with disabilities opens

CEBU, Philippines - In order to accommodate more persons with disabilities (PWDS), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) - 7 has inaugurated their new Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center II (AVRCII) in Camomot-Franza Road, barangay Labangon, Cebu City.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman headed the inauguration and ribbon cutting of the new facility in Labangon last June 30.

Soliman said that the new AVRC II extension will now serve more PWDs and their families thorough various trainings and workshops tailored only for them.

She also hopes that the center will stand as a livelihood center.

According to DSWD, the new training facility caters to all persons with disabilities from any age level who wishes to be trained on various working skills.

With their new acquired skills, DSWD hopes that they can live and work together with others to earn a living for their families.

The center offers courses on Basic Cosmetology, Commercial Arts and Crafts, Basic Electronics, Therapeutic Massage, Dress and Apparel Technology, Electronic Motor Repair, and Cabinet Making and Computer Technology.

Almost 60 PWDs joined hundreds of graduates from AVRC II last May, most of which are now employed.

With the new extension, DSWD hopes to double the number of their graduates every year.

AVRC is a vocational training center operated and maintained by the department since l974 to serves persons with physical and social disabilities like the visually impaired, physically handicapped, negative hansenites, mentally challenged, released prisoners, and other disadvantaged sectors.

The center aims to maximize the remaining capacities of PWDs through assessment and guidance, social adjustment, medical, vocational training and placement services as well as integrating them back to the community.

The department is inviting interested PWDs to take advantage of what it has to offer for free.

This is its way of helping PWDs to lead a normal life amidst their imperfections.

Interested PWDs can visit its municipal or city social welfare office or call 2620001 or 2628107 for further assistance.

Meanwhile, the Liloan City government gave wheelchairs to nine residents with disabilities, PhilHealth cards, and uniforms to barangay tanods.

Mayor Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco led the distribution of PhilHealth cards to barangay residents. Records at the Municipal Social Welfare Office show that a total of 1,494 residents in Liloan have been given PhilHealth cards.

253 barangay tanods from 14 barangays received uniforms.

Frasco said there is a need to have proper uniform for tanods so that the people can easily identify them.

Leo Salundaguit, president of the Association of Barangay Councils, said barangay captains and other officials expressed their thanks to Frasco for giving support to barangays. — Ryan Christopher J. Sorote and Jose P. Sollano (THE FREEMAN)