NVAP, British Embassy roll out PWD Empowerment Project in CDO

• Source:http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2601456696056/nvap-british-embassy-roll-out-pwd-empowerment-project-in-cdo-
• Monday, February 29, 2016

(RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) in partnership with the British Embassy Manila rolls out an Empowerment Project to Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in Cagayan de Oro City to provide sustainable livelihood activities.

In a forum conducted by the association on 24 February Engr. Emer Rojas, NVAP president and PWD Empowerment Project manager said that it is the objective of the project to make the Executive Order 417 or the order that directs the implementation of the economic independence program for persons with disabilities, known to everyone.

He also shared that they already made a pilot project in Quezon City, Manila where they assisted the PWDs in acquiring sewing machine, cloth and other materials that they used in producing bed sheets, eco-bags, rags and more. The same means of getting such source of income will be implemented in the city.

“They don’t want to be a burden in the society,” Rojas expressed as he highlighted that the PWDs are willing to contribute in the economic stability of the country.

Since it is difficult to compete with the businesses in the industry, the association ties up with the local government units to make sure that the products of the PWDs will have a fair share in the market.

For his part, city mayor Oscar Moreno said that the ordinance is not a problem because the local government gives a special focus on uplifting the lives of the marginalized sector which does not only include the PWDs but also entails the street children, senior citizens, urban poor and more.

Thus, training programs for skills enhancement are conducted in the city to improve the competitiveness of the PWDs, Moreno added.

The PWD Empowerment Project is further targeted to implement the PWD Inclusive Development Agenda, develop technical and entrepreneurial skills, encourage community employment, raise awareness on basic PWD rights, and provide solutions to alleviate poverty.