HE RUSHED towards my table and sat down like a kid excited to learn the sounds of the alphabet. He started giving me the sign of /a/ and he convinced me to teach the sound. Then, he tried to imitate it making a tenor voice.
Raffy is a 23-year-old deaf and mute worker in the local government unit (LGU) of La Trinidad. In his entire life, this determined person first heard the sound of his name when the LGU has provided him a hearing aid this month in time for the celebration of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week.
Pursuant to Proclamation No. 361, La Trinidad has just concluded the commemoration of the 41st NDPR week with the theme, “Lokal na Pamahalaan: Kabalikat sa Pagtupad ng Karapatan ng mga Taong may Kapansanan.” The government encourages the celebration of the activity to promote disability prevention, rehabilitation, and equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), the capital town scheduled activities aimed at motivating and encouraging PWDs to participate in community development. One hundred eighty members of the group attended the celebrations. Ma. Lourdes Taguiba who is a social worker of the locality added that the event centered on the motivation and boosting of morale of PWD leaders in helping develop programs for their communities.
MSWD Officer Irene Tagtag also emphasized that the program is not only focused to the PWDs but also to stimulate public awareness on the issues of PWDs and to encourage every citizen to take active responsibility in uplifting the economic and social conditions of the sector.
In one of the slated activities, the PWDs received treats on nail, hand, foot care, and massage services. The service providers were the beneficiaries of the livelihood skills training conducted by the same office last June.
***
La Trinidad through the MSWDO implemented a livelihood skills training to increase the employability and to enhance the competence of participants in performing such skills.
After the training, one hundred percent of the forty-six attendees passed the skills assessment. Assessors from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority handed the National Certificate II of the trainees.
The passers of the NC II are composed of Alternative Learning System graduates, solo parents, persons with disabilities, ex-overseas Filipino workers, industry workers, unemployed and self-employed adults. Mayor Romeo Salda challenged the trainees to continue to seek for the upgrading of their skills and knowledge for them to earn enough income for their families.
One participant responded that she did not only learn the competency skills required but she also found that communication, teamwork and interpersonal relationships were developed throughout the training period.