THE Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) of Cagayan de Oro officially launched the first Search for PWD-Friendly Barangay last Wednesday, September 11.
The Search for PWD-Friendly Barangay is an award that aims to gauge the relationship and partnership built between the persons with disability (PWD) sector and their respective barangays to sustain a PWD-friendly community.
"The search came into existence to alleviate poverty and difficulties among persons with disability," said Maria Liza Corpuz, the PDAO chairman.
"We believe that barangays being closest to us will make it easier for us to access the services to improve our daily conditions," she added.
The search aims to assess the present condition of the PWDs in their respective barangays, to improve whatever needs to be done, and to recognize the efforts barangays that are initiating and doing for the sector in making its services as inclusive as possible and encouraging the other barangays in the city to perform better each year, transforming the developed policies into a holistic development.
"Actually, the search is a dream come true for us. Nalipay kaayo ko kay dugay na mi nangandoy ani na search," Corpuz said.
She added the search will help solve the issue of discrimination towards persons with disability in the community.
"Pasalamaton ta sa City Government sa Cagayan de Oro kay dugay na na mi ni gi-wish nga dunay search nga nahitabo para ang mga local government, especially sa barangay level, makahatag na og attention sa sector sa PWDs," said Rolando Damaolao, chairman of the PWD Council.
The Search for PWD-Friendly Barangay has two categories: Numbered Barangays (1 to 40) and Non-numbered Barangays.
The covered period of assessment will start on September 12 to November 30 The assessment will be based on the key result areas, namely: governance, health, education, social protection, infrastructure, and participation.
The deadline of submission of all documents on or before September 30.
The winners for the Search for PWD-friendly Barangay will receive P30,000 for the champion, P20,000 for the second placer, and P15,000 for the third placer. The winners will be announced sometime in December this year.
"Let us join hands in making not only the barangays PWD-friendly, but Cagayan de Oro as well," Corpuz said.