In support of the 42nd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week celebration this July 17-23, Mr. Francis Chua, of the College of Health Sciences (CHS) shared the rights and privileges of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and MMSU’s support to PWDs. Interview with Mr. Chua will be aired at the MMSU Rimat ti Ilocandia Program this week.

            The Rimat ti Ilocandia program is aired at DWFB Radyo Pilipinas-Laoag every Wednesday and Friday at 12nn-1pm, and DWNI Radyo Karruba-Burgos at 11:30 am – 12nn every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Prof. Francis Chua is a faculty of the Department of Physical Therapy of the CHS and the currently the Extension Coordinator of the College.

                The week-long NDPR celebration themed “Karapatan at Pribilehiyo ng May Kapansanan: Isakatuparan at Ipaglaban!” exemplifies the united reinforcement of the right of children, women, and senior citizens with disabilities and prioritizing them during this CoVID-19 pandemic.

PWDs and their Vulnerability

                “Not all PWDs are at risk of the CoVID-19, only those whose disabilities are primarily related to an underlying medical condition that affects their immune system or those with sever illnesses. However, due to their already-present disability, their exposure to the virus may impact them twice the impact a regular person may feel because of their condition.”

                This is the primary message of Mr. Chua during the interview where he explained that due to the current condition of PWDs, the effects of the CoVID-19 may bring much difficulty and complication in their health with their bodies already being weakened by their disability. The virus primarily affects the immunity of a person and when PWDs are exposed to carriers of the CoVID-19, it is possible that their immunity will be weakened so much that it will already be difficult for them to manage. 

                It is for this vulnerability that PWDs are considered at risk and needs utmost care and attention together with those below 21 years old, the senior citizens, and those with chronic illnesses.

PWD Rights and Privileges

                Putting emphasis in the kind of nurture PWDs need, the interview highlighted the 16 rights and privileges of PWDs as promulgated and supported by the law. The theme puts in focus the realization of fundamental freedoms and rights of PWDs as provided for in international mandates and national laws to include:

1. Karapatang Mabuhay. Right to live and live life.
2. Medikal na lunas at rehabilitasion. Medicine and rehabilitation
3. Dekalidad na edukasion. Quality education and education facilities to assist them
4. Epektibong access sa katarungan. Access to justice at par with other people
5. Sapat at angkop na pasilidad. Right to sufficient and appropriate facilities
6. Magkaasawa at magkapamilya. To have a partner and build a family
7. Nasyunalidad na kapantay ng iba. Right to be seen equal to other people
8. Angkop na serbisyo. Approporiate service for their needs
9. Konsultahin at magpahayag. To be consulted of what they truly need and express their thoughts and ideals
10. Proteksiyon laban sa karahasan at pagpapahirap. Protection against any form of violence and cruelty
11. Respeto bilang kapantay. Mutual respect
12. Laban sa diskriminasyon. Right against any form of discrimination
13. Pantay na oportunidad sa trabaho. Equal opportunity to work
14. Kalayaan at kapanatagan. Freedom, independence, and security
15. Bumoto at maiboto. Right to exercise political opportunities like the regular people
16. Magtipon-tipon. The right to form groups and conduct activities for their wellness

                “These rights are not only the rights of PWDs. It is also right of everyone. We have the right to life, education, health and wellness, justice, freedom and opportunities to work, protection against violence and discrimination, equality, and all others”, he shared during the interview. Only, he added, that these right and privileges of PWDs are often forgotten, leading to isolation, discrimination, and stigmatization. Their rights need to be reemphasized and reinforced more to increase the awareness of everyone on how to help the PWDs in the community.

                With these rights explained, he urged everyone to continue supporting the PWDs in their communities and help them maximize their full potential as a person and still be a productive member of the society. 

Support to PWDs        

                 In support to the PWDs in the province, the Physical Therapy Department of the College of Health Sciences, initiated and invocated the conduct of their extension project, the Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR) Program 2.0 that seeks to provide physical therapy assistance and consultation to all PWDs in the province.

                The CBR Program 2.0 of the PT Department has already established a satellite clinic in the Municipal Health Clinic of the Local Government of San Nicolas catering to PWDs from the municipality and nearby municipalities. This year, the PT Department will soon be inking their Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Education - Schools Division of Ilocos Norte through Florentino Camaquin Integrated School as a sign of full commitment to help and assist the children with disabilities (CWDs) in the school and the community. In another round of effort, another satellite clinic will soon be inked with the City Government of Batac.

                The CBR Program is a strategy that reaches the PWDs in the rural communities for their needed help and assistance. It aims to create a more unified community to help PWDs maximize their potentials through the principles of inclusion, participation, empowerment, sustainability, and self-advocacy.

                The Extension Directorate together with the CHS also continues to produce and distribute Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Materials in support to the annual celebration of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) and the efforts and initiatives of the University to reach all its stakeholders including PWDs.

                The Directorate continues to disseminate information and increase awareness through its IEC material, Ammuentayo dagiti Karbengan dagiti Tattao nga adda Diperensia ti Bagida (Persons with Disabilities) available at the Extension Directorate located at the S&T Building 1 along Batac-Paoay Road. #KSM/MRG

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