Mandaue PWDs receive cash gift, Jonas to double it in next year

CEBU, Philippines - Some 2,000 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Mandaue City received their year-end financial assistance from the city government last Dec. 16.

Mayor Jonas Cortes assisted by Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede, city councilors and barangay captains made the ceremonial giving of P500 financial assistance at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

Cortes in his speech announced that starting next year the assistance will be doubled.

“You have inspired us to work hard,” said Mayor Jonas as he praised the PWDs for rising above their predicament, citing an example Greg Allan Pialago who was awarded as a model student by his late father, Mayor Demetrio “Boy” Cortes and who is now elected as third barangay councilor of Umapad despite the lack of material resources.

Michael Allan Pielago, president of the Federation for the Welfare of PWDs in Mandaue City in his accomplishment report disclosed that it is only in Mandaue where each PWD is given by the city a purchase booklet to be used in demanding for a 20 percent discount in medicine purchase.

Through the assistance of the city, their sector is now engaged in livelihood projects such as t-shirt and mug printing as well as training blind masseurs and setting up a massage clinic for them, Pielago said.

Pielago who is also the regional president of PWDs and national PWDs vice president said many of them including himself are hired by the city government.

“I will deposit what I received so I can replace the accessories and parts  of my guitar, said Christian Faelnar, 17, a blind, now a graduating student of  Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School  who has performed on stage as a lead guitarist and singer.

  His twin brother Christopher, also blind, who performed on stage as a pianist and organist said he still doesn’t know what he would do with the money.  (FREEMAN)