BACKGROUND

The National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week is an annual celebration of the national government being spearheaded by then National Commission Concerning Disabled Persons (NCCDP) by virtue of Proclamation No. 1870 issued in June 22, 1979 by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos. Subsequently, in August 19, 2000, President Joseph E. Estrada issued Proclamation No. 361 superseding Proclamation No. 1870 wherein the celebration of that weeklong event was spearheaded by the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, the forerunner of NCCDP and now the National Council on Disability Affairs. This public policy aims at paying tribute to millions of Filipinos nationwide and recognizing their valuable contributions in nation-building. Its primary objective is to stimulate public awareness on disability problems and concerns particularly issues on disability prevention, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs). The observance of this event is being commemorated on July 17-23 and shall culminate on the birthdate of Apolinario Mabini, the “Sublime Paralytic” on July 23.

In order to highlight the nation’s efforts towards disability prevention and rehabilitation leading to the effective integration of persons with disabilities into the mainstream of society as mandated under Republic Act No. 7277 otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons,” President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Administrative Order No. 35 in May 3, 2002 “Directing All Departments, Bureaus, Government-Owned and/or Controlled Corporations, Government Financial Institutions, Local Government Units, State Universities/Colleges and Schools, and Other Government Agencies/Instrumentalities to Promote and Conduct Relevant Activities During the Annual Observance of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.” The directive stipulates, among others, “that the funds necessary to carry out its provisions shall be sourced out by the concerned agencies from their annual appropriation, the amount of which shall not be less than one percent (1%) of each agency’s total budget for the year or equivalent to the amount provided for under Sections 29 and 31 of the General Appropriations Act.”

OBJECTIVES

The observance of NDPR Week has multi-faceted objectives as follows:

• To stimulate public awareness on disability issues and concerns that will strengthen the involvement of the different government and non-governmental organizations including cause-oriented groups, civil society, self-help groups of persons with disabilities, the academe, professional groups and societies, local government units, business sector, the media and other entities of the society;
• To serve as the vehicle of information for programs being implemented by government agencies and organizations of and for persons with disabilities that adhere to the promotion of the inherent rights and issues of persons with disabilities;
• To encourage every Filipino citizen to take active responsibility in the upliftment of the economic and social conditions of persons with disabilities in our society, thereby encouraging them to take pro-active roles in nation-building;
• To generate full media support on the celebration and other disability-related issues and concerns that affect persons with disabilities and their families; and
• To develop and strengthen cooperation and partnership between and among the various sectors of the Philippine society for better understanding of disability issues and concerns.

LEAD AGENCY AND CHAIRPERSON

For this year’s celebration, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was chosen to be the lead agency with the Department of Health (DOH) as vice-chair. As the lead agency, the representative designated by their Secretary shall act as the Chairperson and will call and preside all meetings of the Committee. True to this mandate, the Honorable Dimas Soguilon, DPWH Assistant Secretary, acts as the Chairperson for this year’s celebration.

NATIONAL WORKING COMMITTEE

A National Working Committee for the celebration is being organized to steer the different activities that will be conducted whose composition are representatives of national government agencies and non-government organizations of and for persons with disabilities based in the National Capital Region/Metro Manila.

The member agencies other than the DPWH and DOH are as follows:

• Department of Environment and Natural Resources
• Department of the Interior and Local Government
• Department of Labor and Employment
• Department of Social Welfare and Development
• Department of Trade and Industry
• Department of Transportation and Communications
• Department of Foreign Affairs
• Department of Education
• Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
• Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office
• Philippine Postal Corporation
• Commission on Human Rights
• Manila International Airport Authority
• House of Representatives-Committee on Social Services
• Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine
• Archdiocese of Manila Office of Persons with Disabilities Ministries
• Alyansa ng May Kapansanang Pinoy, Inc.
• Christian Blind Mission
• DZAS 702-Far East Broadcasting Corporation
• SM Committee on Disability Affairs
• SM Foundation, Inc.
• Liliane Foundation Philippines, Inc.
• National Historical Institute
• National Anti-Poverty Commission-PWD Sector
• Philippine Association of Citizens with Developmental and Learning Disabilities, Inc.
• Philippine Sports Association for Differently-Abled, Inc.
• Christian Blind Mission
• Katipunan ng Maykapansanan sa Pilipinas, Inc.
• Autism Society Philippines

THE THEME

This year’s celebration carries the theme ‘’SA ISTRUKTURANG ACCESSIBLE, LAHAT AY ABLE,” a combination of English and Tagalog languages. However, for common understanding among the general public an English text is conceptualized as “ÁN ACCESSIBLE STRUCTURE IS ABLE TO HELP ALL.”

The theme was aptly chosen and adopted by the members to align with the functions of the lead agency whose mandate, among others, concerns the promotion of the accessibility of persons with disabilities towards a barrier-free environment pursuant to Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 better known as the “Accessibility Law.” This is ably supported by Republic Act No. 7277 otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons” and its amendatory law, Republic Act No. 9442. This is being considered as an important factor in order to enhance public understanding of accessibility issues, and where relevant, they can be used as resources in the development of other national and local standards.

Best practices in universal design among buildings and other public infrastructures are also being considered in the theme as basis for discussion among local building officials/authorities, architects and building owners to comply with the universal design principles. This will provide affordable design practices that meet the needs of the widest possible range of people who use the facility.

PROPOSED ACTIVITIES

To drumbeat the weeklong celebration, various activities will be conducted/undertaken which include:

1. Thanksgiving Mass and Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Mabini Shrine
2. Formal Opening Ceremony
3. Family Fun Day of Persons with Disabilities
4. Paligsahan ng May “K” sa Kasaysayan at Kultura ng Pilipinas
5. Livelihood Exhibits of Products Made by PWDs
6. Poster Making Contest
7. Jobs Fair
8. Wellness and Lifestyle Seminar
9. Regional Orientation on Accessibility Law and Universal Design Concept
10. Community Medical Mission
11. Sports Activities
12. Information Dissemination/Advocacy
13. Commemoration of Mabini’s Birthday, July 23
14. Newborn Screening
15. Access Radio Program at DZAS 702
16. other agency activities as per their mandate mainstreaming disability agenda

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

The activities that were identified by the members of the National Working Committee will be implemented at the National Capital Region/Metro Manila. Member agencies with regional offices are encouraged to conduct their own activities as per their mandate mainstreaming disability agenda in collaboration with the local government units and other organizations of and for persons with disabilities operating in their respective territorial jurisdictions. The Regional Committees on Disability Affairs (RCDAs) in each region shall serve as the focal point where its member agencies could spearhead the activities. The Council’s four (4) Regional Programs Coordinators shall serve as focal persons who shall assist in giving the necessary assistance and directions in the activities to be conducted. Their names, areas of coverage and contact numbers are as follow:

PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS AND PUBLICITY

In order to generate wide publicity of the weeklong celebration, various promotional efforts will be undertaken by members of the National Working Committee using various modes. Media coverage is encouraged to be done in order to generate the necessary information on the celebration and the activities to be conducted/undertaken. In turn, it is expected that it would be broadcasted and/or printed by the media networks that covered the event.

On the other hand, it is required to all concerned to hang streamers in conspicuous places such as public offices, plazas, schools, provincial capitols, city/municipal/barangay halls, hospitals and such other public facilities. For purposes of uniformity, a white cloth/tarpaulin streamer with the following specifications and text presented hereunder shall be strictly observed and followed.

FEEDBACKING AND MONITORING MECHANISM

In order for the Secretariat to determine the activities conducted by various agencies and organizations, a Feedback Report will be required from concerned agencies and organizations following the prescribed format attached to this document. As much as possible, it should be submitted to NCDA one (1) week after the celebration which shall be consolidated into an Accomplishment Report which will be submitted to the Office of the President.

While the celebration is on-going, the Regional Programs Coordinators and/or other designated staff/representatives of NCDA shall monitor all activities being conducted in their respective areas of jurisdiction in coordination with the Regional Committees on Disability Affairs.

Prepared by:

RIZALIO R. SANCHEZ
Information Officer V

Approved:

MATEO A. LEE, JR.
Officer-in-Charge