PERSONS with Disabilities do not only suffer from lack of equal opportunity on employment and accessibility, but also a lack of support for sporting skills to flourish.
Rhojelia Claur, focal person of the Regional Committee on Disabilities Affairs (RCDA) led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), admitted that they have overlooked the need to assist PWD athletes.
"We only provide medical assistance but not monetary," Claur said that existing laws do not provide guidelines on how the DSWD can provide financial assistance for PWD athletes.
Claur pledged to consider the needs of PWD athletes in the succeeding meetings of the RCDA.
City councilor Arthur Allad-iw said the newly amended Sports Incentive Code of Baguio does cover all athletes either PWD or able individuals.
Allad-iw said since the local legislative body approved the creation of Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO), the city should now start allotting funds for it to function and serve the needs of the PWDs.
"Once we have a functional PDAO, we can provide financial assistance to the PWD athletes and help them join national and international sports competitions."
Avelino Tomas, president of the Baguio PWD Federation, said there is a need to institutionalize how assistance from the city or the DSWD can be given to PWD athletes "We are currently coordinating with the city government for the creation of a committee that will look into the needs of the PWDs including the athletes.”
Baguio City is home to several PWD athletes and has been joining competitions such as the National Paralympic Games held in April at Metro Manila where the city bagged 12 gold, seven silver and five bronze medals.
Allan Campos led Baguio’s charge bagging three golds in discus throw, javelin throw and shot put, Jackson Limmayog, also brought home three golds in the 200, 400 and 800-meter dashes, Jaime Manginga snared two golds in discus and javelin throw and Agustina Bantiloc also got two golds in javelin throw and shot put events.
Other gold medalists were Roemo Tayawa – I and Agustin Kitan in bench press.
The multi-silver medalists were Giovanni Ola who brought home three medals in the discus throw, shot put and javeline throw while Bantiloc garnered two medals in the bench press and discuss throw.