The following undertakings highlighted the National Council on Disability Affairs accomplishments for the period January to June 2010 based on the UN Millennium Development Goals, UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), Medium Term Philippine Development Plan and the 10-Point Agenda of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo:
A. POLICY AND PLAN FORMULATION
Adoption of the following substantive policies by the NCDA Executive Committee and Governing Board:
Requesting the Drugstores Association of the Philippines (DSAP) to immediately implement the twenty percent (20%) discount on the purchase of medicine mandated by Republic Act No. 9442 and to request the Department of Health to exempt from the 20% Discount those medicines listed in the coverage of the cheaper medicine law only for the first six months of implementation of R.A. No. 9442 upon receipt of the board resolution by the DSAP
Enjoining the NCDA member agencies, international organizations, UN bodies based in the Philippines and concerned partners to submit relevant disability-related information as inputs to the Philippine report to the UNCRPD, as recommended by the Sub-Committee on International Disability Network
Continuous coordination/institutional arrangement with some member/concerned government agencies which resulted to the following accomplishments/ongoing undertakings:
Department of the Interior and Local Government:
Issuance of DILG MC No. 2009-180 dated November 23, 2009 calling on all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors to establish health desks in their rural health units to attend to the health needs of persons with disability.
Integration of PWDs needs and requirements in the planning and budgeting processes of Local Government Units
Submission of information/data on clients provided assistive devices as inputs to the Philhealth’s study on the expansion of other possible benefits for PWDs, in coordination with the DSWD Regions I, II, V, CAR and CARAGA.
Audit of LGUs compliance on the accessibility law
Provision of special privileges to PWDs in the Local Government Performance Management System
Department of Health:
Ongoing research on the inclusion of the 20% discounts for assistive devices, Philhealth ID cards for PWDs, therapeutic treatment to children with visual disability assessment charged by the development pediatrician and other medical benefits that can be availed of by the PWDs, for policy development
Organization of a group to study the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health headed by the DOH National Epidemiology Center Development of Guidelines on the Implementation of Community-Based Rehabilitation
Department of Education:
Incorporation of the provision of BP Blg. 344 in the designs of school buildings (except for the Braille signs) and toilets for the handicapped which includes ramps and railings by the DepEd Physical Facilities and School Equipment Division
Increase of the cost estimate of armchair per unit from P800 to P900 relative to the participation of PWD cooperatives in the DepEd’s bidding for the manufacture of school armchairs and tables which enhances the PWD Sector’s competitiveness and participation in the bidding of school furniture under the 15% budget allocation for Other Types of Cooperatives
Department of Public Works and Highways:
Issuance of an Order on the Guidelines on the Programs/Activities/Projects for PWDs for a more effective and expeditious implementation of their programs
Conduct of Regional Access Trainings/Seminars to discuss as part of the activity the use of the 1% provision in the GAA for programs/projects for older persons and PWDs
Department of Labor and Employment:
Inclusion of PWD organizations/self-help groups as recipients of its Kabuhayan Starter
As a result, the following PWD organizations have availed the said DOLE’s
Starter Kit:
Labrador Pangasinan Association ( Region I)
Association of Disabled Persons Antique
Samahan ng mga Magulang na Nagiingat ng Lahat ng Espesyal na Bata, Inc. (SMILE, Inc.) in NCR
Women with Disabilities Federation Cagayan
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority:
Undertake preliminary elimination and judging of the regional nominees for the 8th International Abilympics in Seoul, Korea to come up with world-class contenders for 2011 IA, with Abilympics Philippines at the helm.
The NCDA takes charge of the scouting of regional competitors from Regions I to XII, in coordination with DSWD, TESDA and RCDAs.
Civil Service Commission:
Issuance of MC No. 6 S.2010 on the Amendment to MC No. 3, s. 2008 (Grant of Eligibility; Revised Schedule of Skills Tests and Civil Service Eligibilities; Skills Certificate Equivalency Program) on March 26, 2010.
Commission on Election
Issuance of COMELEC Minute Resolution No. 10-0326, which provides the extension of preferential treatment to senior citizens, pregnant women and persons with disabilities on election day by designating polling places located at the ground floor of the voting centers, or providing them express lanes if possible
Issuance of COMELEC Minute Resolution No. 10-0331 where the Commission will provide Election Day Help Desk in every polling center to be manned by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).
The issuance of resolutions, which made voting easier for persons with disabilities, ensures their participation in the 2010 elections and beyond. This was a result of the Forum on Ensuring the Rights to Suffrage of PWDs in the 2010 elections and beyond coordinated by NCDA and sponsored by the International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES).
Passage of resolutions/ordinances by the NCDA Regional Committees on Disability Affairs (RCDA) on the following concerns:
RCDA I, II, III and CAR:
Increase of the composition and membership of RCDA (Board Resolution No. 01 S/2010); and
Establishment/re-establishment of the Regional Accessibility Monitoring Team for the training and re-training of building officials, architects and other people involved on BP Blg. 344, RA No. 7277 and UNCRPD (Board Resolution No. 01 S/2010 and Board Resolution No. 02 S/2010)
RCDA VI:
Establishment of the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Unit in Bacolod City (City Ordinance No. 519 S/2010)
RCDA XII:
Establishment of the Regional Access Monitoring Team and its Functions (Board Resolution No. 01 Series of 2010)
Identification of organizations of PWDs target beneficiaries of DOLE Kabuhayan Starter Kit (Board Resolution No. 02 Series of 2010)
Requesting the Regional Development Committee (Region 12) to issue Memorandum Circular to Local Government Units to implement RA No. 9442 (Board Resolution No. 03 Series of 2010)
B. ADVOCACY
Production, syndication and showing of two (2) Infomercials dubbed Defy Normal and Parehong Karapatan, Parehong Kakayahan, respectively. The two 30-seconder Movie Plugs focused on the equal/human rights and different skills of persons with disabilities. These were shown for free in 3 Ayala Malls sponsored by the Ayala Malls Group and in 5 SM Malls Cinemas courtesy of SM Supermalls. The movie plugs were also aired 4x a day (Primetime/Non-primetime) in NBN 4, RPN 9 and IBC 13 from October 1 to 31, 2009 and from March 22 to April 2, 2010, in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency. The sequel infomercial was also shown in Greenhills Shopping Center’s theatre for free.
The project intensified public awareness and consciousness and strengthened partnership with business stakeholders on the appropriate treatment and basic rights of PWDs.
Coordination with the Ayala Malls to advocate the Accessibility Law and other disability-related concerns.
Ayala Malls also implement a project dubbed as U-First Priority Shopping providing conveniences for senior citizens and PWDs.
Coordination with SM Program on Disability Affairs for its continuous promotion of accessibility in all SM Supermalls ensuring PWDs safety and comfort when they are in the SM business environment. The SM Management also undertook the following: (1) Continuous trainings and seminars of all SM frontliners including security guards, janitors, cashiers and employees of tenants on how to handle customers with special needs. The evacuation of PWDs in case of emergencies is included in their trainings of security and safety teams; (2) Upgrading of SM Malls fire alarm bells to include warning lights for persons with hearing impairment; (3) Regular scheduling of Sensory Friendly Movies in cinemas nationwide for persons with autism to enable their families to enjoy the cinema experience with them; (4) Conduct of photo exhibit entitled Photography with a Difference: Touching Lives Through Photography at SM City North Edsa for the benefit of visually impaired children; and (5) Inclusion of Braille in its Noah’s Ark display in SM City’s The Block and in the exhibit area at SM Mall of Asia. Events such as photo/painting exhibits, seasonal displays were equipped with a podium where the Braille script was mounted for the benefit of visually impaired people.
Conduct of Media Forums on Disability in five (5) regions of the country which enhanced the awareness and consciousness and knowledge of more than a hundred mediamen on various disability-related national and international laws and mandates as well as current government and non-government programs. These forums conducted in NCR, Regions 5, 6, 8 and 10 focused on the Rights to Suffrage of PWDs, Basic Programs and Services for PWDs, and Non-Handicapping Environment (NHE) Project for Persons with Disabilities.
The forums provided initial awareness of media people which will result to support in the promotion/advocacy on the NHE Project. They also serve as part of the continuing media education on disability which can substantiate the media reporting on disability and PWDs. A significant amount of publicity mileage (both newspaper space and broadcast time) from media people and data bank of media outlets from the above mentioned regions were also generated.
Promotion/Conduct of orientation/lecture on RA No. 9442, RA No. 7277, BP Blg. 344, Community-Based Rehabilitation, EO No. 437 and National Human Rights Action Plan-Convention on the Rights of PWDs to the different municipalities/LGUs in Misamis Oriental, Camarines Norte, Region 4A, Calabarzon, Western Visayas and to parents of children with disabilities and different disability groups in NCR.
Taking the lead and active participation in various disability-related celebrations and activities such as the Autism Consciousness Week in January and Women with Disabilities Day in March, as well as in the preparatory activities for the forthcoming 32nd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week in July with the DPWH and DOH as chair and co-chair of the National Working Committee, respectively. Other preparatory activities include the White Cane Safety Day celebration in August and the Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection Week in September.
The conduct of the year-round activities bring into the core public discussion and consciousness the pressing issues and concerns of the PWD Sector. A number of stakeholders from both government and private entities were mobilized to serve as working committee members, project partners and sponsors.
Production and distribution of information materials to supplement the advocacy and lobbying activities of the Council’s officials and staff nationwide. These include the NCDA 2010 Calendars, Newsletter and Primer-Brochure to inform the public on the mandates and programs of the Council; full-text of UNCRPD, RA No. 7277, RA No. 9442, RA No. 10070, and BP Blg. 344; Compilation of the Guidelines issued by concerned Departments on the 20% discount for PWDs implementing RA No. 9442; and Brochures on Communicating Disability and 10 Ways on How to Be an effective Self-Advocate. The NCDA magazine Journey Beyond Disability “Success Stories of Disability Icon and Achievers will also be printed with the assistance of the Department of Labor and Employment.
These publications also form part of the regular information kit being distributed to Council’s guests and researches as well as to libraries such as the St. Jude College Library where the Council has installed disability section. These also increase and improve public knowledge on disability and PWDs in the academic community.
Conduct of the 1st Quarter Dialogue with PWD Leaders from eight (8) organizations from the cities of Angeles, Mandaluyong, Makati, Valenzuela and Quezon. The PWD Sector was informed on the available government projects and services which the sector can avail and the status of the implementation of RA No. 9442 and BP Blg. 344. The representatives of the PWD Sector, in turn, informed NCDA on the different programs and projects of LGUs citing their good practices and services as provided to their constituents with disabilities. They also requested the Council’s support relative to the LGUs recognition of the discount ID and the participation of PWD cooperatives in the DepEd bidding for the manufacture of chairs and tables, among other concerns.
Advocacy on the PWD concerns such as available programs/services/economic and livelihood opportunities that could be availed of by the PWD Sector (i.e. DOLEs Kabuhayan Starter Kit, CHED/TESDA Scholarship/Private Education Student Financial Assistance) in different RTV interviews/presscon conducted by Channel 7 24 Oras DZMM ABS-CBN, and Lakbay Aral of LGUs from different regions, to the RCDAs, parents of children with disabilities and different disability groups.
Ongoing formulation and designing of information package on the Philippine Registry of PWDs, in coordination with DOH and PIA; conduct of training workshop for school heads and supervisors in Luzon and Visayas on the implementation of inclusive education with special discussion of Article 24 Education provision of the UNCRPD in the education system by the DepEd; and the generation of information on the PWDs member at the household level by the Community-Based Monitoring System and the continuous advocacy with the LGU Leagues (LCP and LMP) on PWD concerns specially during their national conventions by the DILG.
Representation of the Philippine Government in the Capacity Development in Disability and Development for CLMV Government Officers WRAP-UP Seminar in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 21-23, 2010 where the collaboration between NCDA/GOs and NGOs regarding programs for persons with disabilities was presented.
Coordination with Greenhills Shopping Center, DOLE and Kakayahan at Kabuhayan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (KKMC) on the participation of eight (8) PWD organizations in the Bangketa Sales on April to May 10, 2010 and KKMC members in the Labor Day Celebration Exhibit at SMX-MOA, free of charge. The PWDs participations showcase the entrepreneurial skills and products/services of the PWD Sector.
Participation in the 3-Day Seminar Meeting on the Harvard Law School Project on Disability thru Michael Stein and the Perkins International Program of School for the Blind on March 4-6, 2010 held in Gateway Mall and College of Law, Quezon City. It resulted to partnership with the DSWD and DepEd for Day Care Workers Orientation for Visually Impaired Children.
Conduct of the following workshops/trainings/orientations/lectures:
Continuous Training of chess and bowling teams/other sports concerns for PWDs in coordination with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, National Association of Philippine Chess Arbiters, Philippine Bowling Center, Philippine Sports Association for Differently-Abled and Philippine Sports Federation of the Deaf. The program showcases/demonstrates the skills/talents of PWDs through sports and help them gain self confidence and discipline. The competitions prizes also provide income to PWDs.
Orientation on RA No. 9442, RA No. 7277, EO No. 437, policies/programs and services for the development of the PWD Sector in different regions. As a result, the following municipalities have already adopted CBR:
* Fourteen (14) municipalities in the Bicol Region (Tiwi, Tabacco City, Malinao, Sto. Domingo, Legaspi City, Ligao City, inon, Daraga, Naga City, Bombon, San Fernando, Lupi, Libmanan and Palayan City.
* Twenty-two (22) municipalities and cities in CALABARZON and Western Visayas (Iloilo City, San Dionisio, Batad, Concepcion, New Lucena, Calinog, Pototan, Dumangas, Dueñas, San Enrique, Cabatuan, Leganes, Janiuay, San Jose Antique, Barbasa, Laua-an, Cadiz City, Kabankalan City, Bacolod City, Himamaylan City, Bago City and Silay City).
Forum-Workshop on the Human Rights Legislative Agenda with the Commission on Human Rights where Access to Justice of Persons with Disabilities as provided for in the UNCRPD was discussed.
Forum on Accessibility at the House of Representatives where the technical orientation on accessibility on how to conduct access audit in preparation for the Accessibility Forum scheduled during the NDPR Week in July 2010 was tackled.
Formulation of the National Human Rights Action Plan for the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). This will ensure that the concerns of indigenous persons with disabilities will be included in the NHRAP of the Convention.
Pre-Education Seminar and formulation of plans/activities of the Kakayahan Kabuhayan Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
Implementation of the Program for a Career Development Workshop for the Recipients of Wheelchairs of the Center for PWDs Associate Interdisciplinary Training Division of the Utah State University during the meeting with Dir. Marilyn Hammond on January 12, 2010 at the Church of Jesus Christ of LDSC, Green Meadow Quezon City. The training module will enhance the capability of the sector to gainful employment and will complement the training and development programs of the government for the sector.
C. PROVISION OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Passage of Republic Act No. 10070 entitled An Act Establishing an Institutional Mechanism to Ensure the Implementation of Programs and Services for Persons with Disabilities in Every Province, City and Municipality, amending Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, as amended, and for Other Purposes. Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) shall be created in every province, city and municipality. Within three (3) years after the effectivity of the Act, appropriate agencies, headed by the DSWD, in consultation with the NCDA and relevant NGOs and POs, shall review its implementation and recommend to Congress the need to mandate the establishment of a PDAO in fourth (4th), fifth (5th) and sixth (6th) class municipalities.
NCDA provided technical inputs in the crafting of the bill in coordination with the Technical Working Group of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development with the Committee on Finance and Local Government. The Council also took charge of the publication of the Law in two (2) leading newspapers (Manila Times and Manila Standard) on April 30, 2010.
Crafting of the 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH) Enumerator’s Manual of the National Statistics Office which includes some provisions on Disability and Functional Difficulty. The functional difficulty is classified into the following six (6) core categories:
Difficulty in seeing, even if wearing eyeglasses
Difficulty in hearing, even if using a hearing aid
Difficulty in walking or climbing steps
Difficulty in remembering or concentrating
Difficulty in self-caring (bathing or dressing)
Difficulty in communicating
The census was conducted from May 17, 2010 to June 11, 2010 nationwide.
Meetings/Undertakings of the different NCDA sub-committees which resulted to the following:
Commitment of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology to issue a circular requesting web accessibility compliance of GO-NGOs nationwide and to spearhead the conduct of a web accessibility forum in July 2010 to ensure full compliance to web accessibility
Organization of a Technical Working Group to spearhead the BP Blg. 344 amendments and formulation of the framework on how to proceed with the proposed amendments
Conduct of a survey with DSWD as respondent regarding data/statistics on number of its clients provided services as inputs to the Philhealth’s research on the inclusion of additional benefits for PWDs in the Program
Conduct of Consultation on the research undertaken by UNICEF on the Rights and State of Children with Disabilities. The validated research generated provides concerned agencies/organizations, policy makers, planners and other stakeholders guide for policy/program development.
Inclusion of the Non-Handicapping Environment activities as a project of the Sub-Committee on Accessibility on Built Environment and Transportation for sustainability after 2012.
Organization of Persons with Disabilities and the Accreditation of PWD national organizations which paved the way to their participation in the National Anti-Poverty Commission’s 2010 Sectoral General Assembly of PWD. NCDA facilitated the election of the Sectoral Council members (regional and national representatives representing cross-disability groups including women with disabilities) and the Nominees for Sectoral Representative, as well as documenting the proceedings of the general assembly.
Enrichment of the AFS-YES Program screening of applicants and organization of PWD returnees as advocates. These resulted to more visible and active participation of PWDs as advocates and screening panelists and more empowered youth leaders.
Continuous implementation of the NCDA-JICA Joint Project on the Non-Handicapping Environment for Persons with Disabilities in Rural Areas. A Workshop on the Development of Accessible Design Using Local Materials and Access Map in 2 pioneer LGUs including feedback session on the outcome of the workshop was held with Arch. Yoshihiko Kawauchi, JICA short-term expert as the main resource persons. Attitudinal Survey in Opol/New Lucena was also conducted.
Implementation of program on the Economic Development of PWDs to consolidate the resources of agencies including the LGUs to share in the economic development of the country. It also aims to make PWDs productive, less dependent economically to the government/families and become tax payers/development partners. The consolidation of resources of duty bearers will minimize/prevent/eradicate duplication and wastage of scarce resources of the government.
D. MONITORING AND EVALUATION
Monitoring of the implementation of RA No. 9442 in Puregold, Ever Gotesco, Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines, Philippine Franchise Association, MARINA, Amang Rodriguez Hospital, Paranaque Doctors Hospitals and other establishments in the National Capital Region and different regions. These include coordination with the DOH Legal Service, Drugstores Association of the Philippines and other drugstore companies for not implementing the 20% discount on medicine. The Food and Drug Administration, in coordination with NCDA and DOH, will handle the PWD complaints on the non-implementation of the law by the drugstore industry allegedly due to economic crisis being experienced by them.
Monitoring the LGUs uploading of data on PWD IDs s to DOH relative to the Philippine Persons with Disabilities Registry
NCDA has uploaded 1,500 data of PWDs to the DOH.
Monitoring, identification and documentation of all municipalities/cities in Region I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, ,X, XI, XII, NCR, CAR and CARAGA that are issuing the PWD-ID Cards. Result is as follows:
| REGIONS | NO. OF CITIES/MUNICIPALITIES ISSUING IDs | NO. OF ISSUED IDs |
| I | 63 | 6,873 |
| II | 52 | 3,323 |
| III | 39 | 6,348 |
| IV-A | 37 | 11,370 |
| IV-B | 24 | 2,643 |
| V | 10 | 4,830 |
| VI | 33 | 15,278 |
| VII | 4 | 278 |
| VIII | 2 | 160 |
| IX | 4 | 382 |
| X | 7 | 710 |
| XI | 12 | 3,544 |
| XII | 10 | 1,045 |
| NCR | 12 | 9,178 |
| CAR | 26 | 3,107 |
| CARAGA | 13 | 3,795 |
| TOTAL | 348 | 72,864 |
Monitoring and evaluation of LGUs employing PWDs where seven (7) permanent PWDs and eighteen (18) PWDs were found to be employed in the Provincial Capitol of Aklan and Local Government of Ligao City, respectively.
Continuous data collection on disability, updating of Directories/Manuals on Rehabilitation Resources/Disability Data through coordination with NCDA Board members and other relevant sectors, non-government organizations, self-help groups/parents groups. The data will serve as bases for policy and program development of duty bearers, policy makers and other stakeholder and PWD organizations.
E. OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Completion of the Construction of the NCDA Office located in Isidora Hills, Brgy. Holy Spirit, Quezon City. The office provided a permanent home for the Council, the PWD Sector and other partners and stakeholders in the pursuit toward the development of PWDs. This was made possible through the assistance from the Engineering Department of the Office of the President By Administration and completed the Phase III of the construction as per specifications within a limited/minimal budget. The Office Blessing was held on August 27, 2009.
Distribution of Wheelchair Donation from the Latter Day Saints Charities
Fifteen (15) marginalized children mostly with cerebral palsy and adults with disabilities from Muntinlupa, Las Pinas, Pasay and Angeles City were given wheelchairs, in addition to more than 2,000 wheelchairs distributed to indigent PWDs nationwide since 2008. The wheelchairs will enhance the mobility of the recipients in going to school and in their participation in community activities.
Provision of augmentation fund to the PWD organizations such as the Association of Disabled Persons, Inc. (Iloilo) for its Production of Insect Repellant Project for Women with Disabilities and to Parents Advocate for Visually Impaired Children for its Visually Impaired Sports Training and Advocacy (VISTA) 2010.
Assessment of NCDA staff by the Ateneo Access Group for proper work assignment. Through rotation of work, the Division Chiefs and other senior staff were exposed to other works in different divisions within the Secretariat, after which, they will return to their original positions starting December 2009.
Set-up of ATM system for payment of salaries and other allowances of the staff
Acceptance of the donated Everest and Innova vehicles from the International Bazaar Foundation and Bigay Puso Foundation; also the donated office furniture for the use of the Chairperson, Assistant Secretary, Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director;
Forging a Memorandum of Understanding by and between the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and NCDA on the IT Training of NCDA staff.
Purchase and installation of newly-acquired computers at the workstations of users-staff of NCDA, as well as the purchase of a new commuter van for Council use which resolved the staff’s need for service vehicle for official use.
Provision/Nomination of selected NCDA officers/staff, PWD leader and member agencies representative to foreign and local trainings/scholarships/fellowship to capacitate the Secretariat toward more effective work performance and to promote the rights of PWDs in the Philippines. These include the following:
Australian Development Scholarship in the field of governance for one year
Australian Leadership Awards Scholarship Program for a post graduate program in Australia
Australian Leadership Awards for Queensland University of Technology in the field of Policy Development, Promotion of Rights, Strengthening CBR and Advocacy for PWDs in the Philippines for seven (7) weeks
Japanese Association for an Inclusive Society’s International Symposium for Promotion of Universal Design Based Environments in Asian Region for three (3) days
IT Trainings with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines
International Autism Conference with renowned resource persons from institutions catering services of persons with autism in the USA, Korea and the Philippines
Endorsement of the Information Systems Strategic Plan (ISSP)2011-2013 to the Commission on Information and Communications Technology for submission to the Department of Budget and Management. The plan will serve as the blueprint for the computerization program of NCDA for more effective and efficient policy and program formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation on all disability-related matters on-line.
Implementation of the Moral Renewal Action Plan/Integrity Development Action Plan in coordination with the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission, pursuant to AO No. 255 Directing the Heads of the Executive Department to Lead Moral Renewal in their Agencies.
Enhancement of the NCDA Library through purchase of books, newspaper subscriptions and clipping of disability-related write-ups which is being used as a potent source of information in terms of monitoring current disability-related trends and programs of different parties, with some in support of the implementation of various laws and mandates on disability.
The NCDA looks forward to more fruitful initiatives together with the Governing Board on the following:
Philippines participation in the 8th International Abilympics to be held in Seoul, Korea on September 25-31, 2011, with Abilympics Philippines at the helm
Philippines hosting of the 2011 Asia-Pacific Congress on Community-Based Rehabilitation on November 29-December 1, 2011