PWD leaders urged to focus on potentials

TACURONG
CITY – A Davao City–based official today challenged leaders here to focus on
the capabilities of persons with disabilities than its incapability. Bilang
mga lider, tungkulin nating alamin ang mga kakayahan ng mga PWDs sa ating
lugar. Wag lang tayong mag-focus sa mga kapansanan (As leaders, we should look
at the capability of every person, not on incapability),” Cheryl Arellano,
manager of the Davao Jubilee Foundation, as the Leadership Seminar for
presidents of PWD (persons with disability) Barangay Association in Tacurong City
ended.

According
to Arellano, it is good to know the disabilities of PWD-members but leaders
must not forget to conduct skills inventory.

She
said this way the association will be able to plan for livelihood and
employment opportunities.

Maari nyo
itong gawin kasama ang CSWD na palaging sumusuporta sa inyo (You can do it
through the CSWD which always provide supports to PWDs),” Arellano added.

Bisan sa nubo
nga panahon sang sini nga seminar, nabal-an namon ang amon katungdanan isip
lideres (Despite limited time in this seminar, we have learned our
responsibilities as leaders),” said Poblacion PWD Association President
Wilfredo Gerasmo. Kinahanglan
gali nga panlantaw kita hindi lang sa panimalay kundi sa aton komunidad (Now I
know we should not only look at within our families but the community as well),”
Gerasmo added.

Arellano
also encouraged PWD leaders to come up with a vision for their associations.

Dapat alam
nyo ano ang vision nyo saan nyo gustong pumunta bilang grupo. At wag nyong
gagawin ito mag-isa (You should know your vision where you are heading as a group,
do not do it alone),” she said.

Arellano
also stressed unity and cooperation among leaders and members.

According
to the LGU’s PWD Focal Person Kathy Mae Catalan, the City Committee on
Disability Affairs aim to develop skills of PWD leaders so that they can
further strengthen their respective organizations.

Gusto
natin na buo yung boses ng mga PWDs at maging maayos ang relasyon nila with the
barangay officials (We would like to ensure you have one voice and with good
relationship with your village officials),” said Catalan.

The
City Social Welfare and Development Office conducted an orientation on PWD
rights among Punong Barangay of the 20 barangays in Tacurong City.
(LGU-Tacurong City Information)