DPWH chairs National and Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week

MANILA, July 16 (PNA)--The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will chair the celebration of the 32nd National Disability Prevention & Rehabilitation Week of People with Disabilities (PWDs) with the theme "Sa Istrakturang Accessible, Lahat ay Able" to be held on July 17 to 23, 2010.

According to DPWH Assistant Secretary Dimas S. Soguilon, DPWH Permanent Representative to NCDA and Chair, National Working Committee to the NDPR Week, this year's theme was aptly chosen to promote accessibility and mobility of persons with disabilities in a barrier-free and inclusive environment pursuant to Batas Pambansa 344 better known as "Accessibility Law."

DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson with Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima will lead the formal opening ceremony and ceremonial ribbon cutting to formally open the week-long celebration right after the 9:00 AM Thanksgiving Mass on Saturday, July 17, 2010 at the Sky Dome, SM North EDSA, Quezon City.

This will be followed by the Family Fun Day of PWDs, a half-day activity which aims to promote the "the right to leisure and participation" of families and their children with/without disabilities.

Activities for this year's celebration are the following: Wheelchair Basketball at the Quezon City Memorial Circle Covered Court (July 18); Poster Making Contest and Tenpin Bowling at SM North EDSA (July 19); Web Accessibility Forum at the Phivolcs Auditorium, QC and Paligsahan ng May "K" sa Kasaysayan at Kultura ng Pilipinas at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines Auditorium, Manila (July 20); Forum on Accessibility Law & Universal Design at the Occupational Safety & Health Center, North Ave., QC (July 21); Tulong Medikal para sa may Kapansanan (Medical & Dental Mission) at the Commonwealth Elem. School, QC (July 22); and Commemoration of Mabini's Birthday which will be simultaneously held in Tanauan City, Batangas and at Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Sta. Mesa, Manila, Manila.

Weeklong activities include the "Likhang PWD 2010" Exhibit and selling of products made by PWDs at the DPWH Central Office Grounds, Port Area, Manila; Newborn Screening and Confirmatory Tests at the following hospitals - East Avenue Medical Center, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial, Newborn Screening Reference Center, Center for Health Development and Philippine General Hospital; Hanging of Streamers; Issuance of Department Orders on the NDPR Week and Media Guestings.

The annual NDPR week celebration commences on July 17 and culminates on July 23 which coincides with the birthdate of Apolinario Mabini, the "Sublime Paralytic" and "Brains of the Revolution", whose heroism has greatly inspired many of our countrymen to rise above their disabilities and achieve greater heights as productive citizens of the country.

The National Council on Disability Affairs is the Seretariat to the celebration in collaboration with various government agencies and non-government organizations, both at the national and local levels.(PNA)
LOR/LBV