Mr. Benjamin Banatao (center) receives a Certificate of Appreciation from DC Leovilda Tumaliuan (left) and STIDS Cynthia Talattad (right) during the Orientation Workshop on Disability Sensitivity on November 27, 2018 at the Negosyo Center, DTI-2 Regional Office in Tuguegarao City.

Government agencies are required to allot 5% of their annual budget for GAD and PWD–related activities.

In compliance to this requirement, the Department of Trade and Industry Region 2 (DTI-2) conducted an orientation workshop on Disability Sensitivity for its frontline service personnel on 27 November 2018 at the Negosyo Center, DTI-2 Regional Office in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

In his opening message, OIC RD Ruben Diciano stressed that as frontliners, part of the delivery of quality service is to maintain the same level of competence and professionalism in dealing with all clients including persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Mr. Benjamin A. Banatao of the Commission on Human Rights and member of the Regional Council on Disability Affairs discussed R.A. 7277 known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, zeroing in on the rights and privileges of PWDs. Mr. Banatao, a PWD himself, expressed gratitude to the agency for making time to hold the orientation seminar saying that, “it is important for everybody to know the PWD law so that they would know how to treat and interact properly with PWDs.”

Resource Speakers from the Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center of the Tuguegarao City People’s General Hospital Ms. Vigilant Paclibar and Ms. Phoebie Rizza Pe discussed and demonstrated how to assist persons with physical and psychosocial impairments. Likwise, Ms. Belalou Balubal from Bagay Elementary School discussed how to assist persons with hearing and speech impairments while Mr. Jaycel Lagundi from Tuguegarao East Central School presented the way vision impaired persons should be assisted. Both Special Education (SPED) teachers, they also performed a simulation with some of the participants.

The participants, who were exceptionally receptive, found the seminar very relevant and enlightening. They were delighted with the calibre resource speakers who were invited through Ms. Jam Gavino, Persons with Disabilities Affairs Officer of LGU-Tuguegarao City.

Date of release: 29 November 2018