Sheltered workshop helped improve the livelihood, well-being of PWDs

 By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY, January 12 (KBP)— The sheltered workshop established by the local government in Lapuyan town has greatly helped the livelihood and well-being of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Thus, disclosed Joel Cañete, the head of the persons with disability affairs office (PDAO) during the weekly program "Kapihan" over DXPR radio station recently.

Cañete said that in 2011, the local government under the leadership of former Mayor Daylinda Sulong built the sheltered workshop (SW) called "Home for the Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Sector" located near the public market to help the PWDs in the town which is considered the most vulnerable sector of the society.

The Municipal Inter-Agency Committee (MIAC) is pushing for the establishment of the SW by forging a resolution that aims to offer training and productive employment for PWDs and older persons (OP) by creating and selling goods and services for their additional income.

"Before the SW was established, the LGU sent eight (8) PWDs who mostly have orthopedic impairment to the Area Vocational Recreation Center (ACRC) in Zamboanga City to undergo free livelihood skills training," Canete said in vernacular.

He added that the PWDs showed their unique skills in sewing the most colorful and intricate Subanen costume, made decorations from indigenous materials, slippers, rags, etc., and displayed it at the center where they own the sales of their products.

"Under the new administration of Mayor Joel Sulong, he personally observed that the sales from their local products are not enough for their livelihood. Because of this, he employed 16 PWDs working in the community-based facility," Cañete happily announced.

Meanwhile, PDAO head said that mayor Sulong called a meeting recently of job orders and casual employees to reduce the number of non-permanent employees due to the reduction of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share from national government.

"We are happy that the local chief executive did not terminate the PWDs from their jobs because he saw the hard work of the PWDs and their significant contribution to the development of the town's economy," Cañete added.

"Through SW, the PWDs have become productive and we no longer see them hiding inside the house and begging in our town," Cañete concluded. (GCC/KBP-Zamboanga del Sur)