BONTOC, Mountain Province – The newly-elected officers of the Persons with Disability (PWD) Association and Senior Citizen Association in Barangay Alab Oriente took their oath on February 23, 2022.
The newly-elected officers of the Alab Oriente PWD Association are President Maximo Ayan, Vice President Israel Engngeg, Secretary Sherine Bateg, Assistant Secretary Mark Anthony Banua, Treasurer June Ford Macayba, Auditor Bert Atiwag, Dantay Representative Michael Dapuyen, and Dongyowan Representative Palma Bateg.
Meanwhile, the newly-elected officers of Alab Oriente Senior Citizen Association are President Ruby Mangagley, Vice President Presca Belino, Secretary Elizabeth Dapig, Auditor Saturnina Bugarin, Dantay Representatives Nancy Lee, and Minda Macayba, and Dongyowan Representatives Brigitte Okko and Melecio Atiwag.
With the creation of the Municipal Disability Affairs Office (MDAO) in the municipality, and the appointment of Maria Codeo as the Municipal Disability Affairs Officer, this is the first time that the PWDs in all the barangays of Bontoc is being organized and their association is currently for registration to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Codeo explained that there are nine types of disability. These include deaf or hard of hearing, intellectual disability, learning disability, mental disability, orthopedic disability, physical disability, psychosocial disability, speech and language impairment, and visual disability.
In Bontoc, the MDAO is currently gathering the list of the PWDs. As for this writing, 715 PWDs were listed and the MDAO is in the process of inputting the list in the Philippine Registry System. Also, the said office is currently preparing the PWD IDs and Purchase Booklets for all the PWDs in Bontoc.
In her message, Codeo thanked Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs Head Ruby Mangagley for her assistance in organizing the PWDs of Alab Oriente to form their association. As of this writing, there are 24 PWDs listed in Barangay Alab Oriente.
Codeo remarked that there are laws governing the rights of PWDs. Thus, for them to be given equal attention by the government, it is important to organize the PWDs as a group for them to elevate their issues and concerns to the concerned agencies and stakeholders.
She added that it will be an opportunity for the PWDs to strengthen and learn to assert their rights as stipulated in the Magna Carta (for Persons with Disabilities) and develop personal capacities.
“We can only sustain these efforts if we work hand–in–hand: government, barangay, communities, and the PWDs,” Codeo mentioned.
Retired Secretary to the Sangguniang Bayan of Bontoc who was invited during the event expressed his happiness that an MDAO was created and a permanent employee was appointed in the municipal government to oversee the promotion of the welfare of the PWDs in the capital town.
As he expressed happiness for the organization of the PWDs as an association, he mentioned that it is an avenue for them to become personally and collectively empowered. Cullalad added that as an association, it will be easier for them to voice out their issues and concerns, and seek assistance from the government.
Likewise, he lauded Codeo for her industry and commitment to the implementation of programs that address the needs of the PWDs.
Meanwhile, Architect Benedict Odsey, Jr., who represented Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey joined Cullalad in commending the MDAO for her dedication and commitment to her work.
Odsey encouraged the PWDs to be united and make their organization active and functional so that it would be easier for them to lobby with the municipal government and other government agencies for their requests.
Municipal Federation of Senior Citizen President Florence Taguiba in her message mentioned that the municipality of Bontoc has its Senior Citizens Code passed by the Sangguniang Bayan.
Among the notable support being provided by the municipal government to the senior citizens is the increase of yearly cash assistance of P10, 000 to each of the 16 barangays of Bontoc from the P8, 000 given in the previous years, and P20, 000 to the Municipal Federation of Senior Citizens Association. It shall be used for the programs and activities of the senior citizens. Part of the code is the establishment of the Senior Citizens Incentive and Awards Program aimed to recognize the best performing barangay senior citizen associations. Plaque or certificate and a cash incentive of P10, 000 shall be awarded to the 1st place, P7, 000 for the 2nd place, and P5, 000 for the 3rd Place.
Aside from this, a death benefit assistance of P2, 000 shall be given to the nearest surviving relative who took care of the deceased senior citizen. However, it is required that the deceased senior citizen must be a resident of Bontoc and that the wake and burial must have been done within the municipality.
Concerning the welfare of the PWDs, Taguiba, who is also the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the All Saints Credit Cooperative (ASCCO), mentioned that the cooperative has provided assistance to the PWD organization in Barangay Mainit for their livelihood program.
Sangguniang Bayan member Viola Okko congratulated the newly-elected officers of Alab Oriente PWD Association and Senior Citizen Association.
Okko reminded the members and officers of the importance of cooperation and unity to make their respective associations functional and for them to have one voice in requesting assistance to the government and other concerned stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the induction of the newly-elected officers of the PWD Associations in the other remaining barangays of Bontoc is scheduled in the coming days.
By Alpine Killa-Malwagay & Nathaniel Tufay
