PWD beneficiary shares feedback to caravan assistance

PWD CARAVAN beneficiary is assisted at the Davao Oriental in October. People with multiple and severe disabilities living in very remote areas are helped by the project. (Sr. Marietta Alo)

DAVAO ORIENTAL — As earlier reported, 49 Persons with Disability (PWD) residing in six hinterland villages of Caraga and Baganga towns have availed of much-needed government services through the Provincial Government’s regular program called Nagkakaisang Lingkod-Bayan ng Davao Oriental (NLD) Barangay Outreach Caravan held in October. Beneficiaries received wide-ranging services including handover of free assistive devices such as canes and crutches, medical checkup, and medicines, among others. The PWDs include those with long-term impairment on visual, hearing, and speech; physical, psychiatric and intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy; and persons with autism, among others.

At the caravan, PWD beneficiaries and their families, expressed their overwhelming thanks to the government for its efforts to address their simple and most basic needs. Forty-eight-year-old Benancio Alameda, who has a congenital orthopedic disability that caused deformity on his left leg, said he is happy that government services were brought to his village since mobility is a big challenge especially for those like him with disability. Braving the sweltering heat of the sun without a companion, Alameda walked the pot-holed road down to the site of the caravan one kilometer away from his home just to avail of government services being offered. Walking with one crutch, he said he has already grown accustomed to the task. Farming a half-hectare land planted mostly to corn while tending pigs and poultry, Alameda who lives alone relies solely on himself for support.

However, not all PWDs have as much independence. According to Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) focal person Hector Acebo, there are scores of disabled persons, especially those with multiple and severe disabilities living in very remote areas here. Some of them are totally dependent on their caregivers. Through the DSWD, the government plans to implement by next year the Sustainable Livelihood Project intended for the PWD sector. (with Karen Lou Deloso)