With this year’s theme, “Talino at Paninindigan ng taong May Kapansanan: Pasaporte sa Kaunlaran,“ Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Northern Mindanao celebrated the National Disability Prevention & Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week with a motorcade and an opening program in one of the malls in the city.

The week-long celebration is celebrated annually nationwide. It is aimed to stimulate public awareness on disability and encourage citizens to take active responsibility in uplifting the economic and social conditions of Persons with Disabilities in the country.

Various activities were also conducted which includes sports fests and variety shows featuring the various talents of Persons With Disabilities, as this annual celebrations also aims to upscale the talents and skills as well as the capabilities of PWDs.
Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in the region joined together to participate and contribute to make the week-long celebration successful.

As per Memo Circular 2014-74 of the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, being the lead Agency in advocating for the rights of Persons With Disabilities, along with the Local Chief Executives and officials, were urged to extend their full support to the activities lined up for the NDPR week in their localities as well as in providing assistance to PWDs participating in the activities within and outside their localities.

Advocacy of the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities, the Rights of PWDs among others, were also conducted simultaneously within the week. Other activities also included symposiums, inspection of business establishments for accessibility ramps, medical check-ups, Commission on Elections registration, open forums, and Kapihan with the Philippine Information Agency.

Written by Mitzie S. Santiago, DSWD