The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) in collaboration with the Provincial Governments, Liliane Foundation Philippines, Plan International and Terre des Hommes  held a series of Provincial Disability Forum on May 11 (Northern Samar) and May 13 (Western Samar) and will continue the said activity on May 16 and 18, 2011 in   Eastern Samar and Southern Leyte, respectively.

Representatives from the national government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare & Development, Department of Education, Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Labor and Employment  which are mandated to implement programs for  persons with disabilities, will  discuss their specific programs for the sector. These include Auxiliary and Social Services, Education, Accessibility and Economic/Livelihood Programs together with their counterparts from the non-government organizations in the provinces of Region VIII.

Participants in this forum are local service providers that include the Municipal Planning Officers, Chairpersons of the Appropriations Committee of the Sanggunian Bayan and Panlungsod, the Presidents of organizations of and for persons with disabilities, and the local media.

The forum envisions to bring closer to the sector of persons with disabilities including their families and advocates, various policies and programs of the government concerning disability, and ensure that all concerned stakeholders are aware of the existing policies and mandates on disability being implemented by the government.

.

Similar forums will also be held on May 31, at the Rendezvous Resort, Nursery, Masbate Province, and on June 3, at the Sikatuna Beach Resort, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.