Gov. Tubban recognizes capacities, merits, potentials of PWDs

Tabuk City, Kalinga – During the ceremonial turnover of the prosthesis legs and other mobility devices to 11 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the province, Governor Ferdinand Tubban gave recognition to the contribution of said sector in the society.

Tubban, in his message, expressed that though PWDs are experiencing difficulty and may have limitations, they can still perform their work like normal people do, saying that he believes in their capacity, merit, and potentials despite having physical challenges.

“Baka ad-adu pay iti maaramid ken mapanunut yu to the extent a dakayo ti maysa a kasapulan tayo metlaeng. Adu pay ag-gradwar a cum laude a haan a makakita,” the governor said.

As recalled, several PWDs working as job orders became permanent when Tubban was still the Mayor of Tabuk City. With this, he called on all stakeholders to support programs to capacitate those with special needs to become productive members of the community.

How PWDs were granted mobility devices in the province

Benjamin P. Lucas, Regional Chairman of Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte-National Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRD-NECC), earlier explained that the program started when he called up Provincial Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Michael Karel Sugguiyao regarding a certain patient needing to be measured for prosthetics.

Viewing the action as a ‘window of opportunities and a way of returning the favor to the public,’ Suguiyao suggested Lucas to include other PWDs in the province as well.

“Mayat daytoy a gayyem ta kunana nga apay ngay maymaysa, apay di la mabalin a duwa-en wennu adu pay, ket pwede naman,” Lucas said.

Thus, on April 29, 2021, the Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP) along with Kalinga Provincial Local Government Unit, in partnership with MVRN (Ma. Victoria R. Nazarita) Prosthesis Center, then conducted a screening and evaluation of PWDs.

PWDs were measured for mobility devices and were interviewed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in preparation for the social case study, which is one of the requirements.

After complying with the requirements, the OSAP issued a guarantee letter to the service provider MVRN to process the costing.

Ma. Victoria R. Nazarita, disclosed in an interview that 70% of the total cost was shouldered by the Office of the President and 30% was given as LGU counterpart through Governor Tubban.

Awarding of Prosthesis hand and legs

MVRN awarded prosthesis hands and legs to the 11 orthopedically handicapped clients this August 9 to 10, 2021 at Kalinga Provincial Gymnasium.

Recipients were Mayo Edas, Mary Pinated, Simeona Maduli, Daisy Martinez, Valentin Ongat, Melchora Jacob, Derry Lupnacan, Alberto Tongdo, Oscar Gaddao, Rodil Estonactoc, and Estrada Dupil.

Nazarita explained that recipients will undergo two hours of gait training on the proper usage and walking techniques with their mobility devices. The Below-knee Prosthesis recipients and the two hand Prosthesis recipients will also be awarded and will undergo gait training this Monday, August 9.

Meanwhile, proper orientation, gait training, as well as aftercare counseling, will be conducted for the three above-knee prosthesis recipients on August 10, 2021.

More PWDs to receive mobility devices

Around 21 more PWDs who registered are also expected to receive their own mobility devices later.

“Yung 21, coming soon kaya nga kinakausap ko si General Miguel Puyao Jr. who is working under MRRD to fast track the approval of the guarantee letter kasi I am basing on the approved guarantee letter of the Office of the President. Pag may na-receive akong names tsaka ko ipo-production kasi yun yung instruction,” Nazarita explained.

Maintenance and Aftercare

Nazarita further said that MVRN shall be receiving reports from the Office of Board Member Suguiyao, so those who would need to repair or enhance their mobility devices will be acted upon.

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