City officials recently commended the Aral, Kalinga, Alaga at Yakap (AKAY) Foundation for the successful awarding of some 190 assistive mobility devices for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and stroke patients last September 10, 2023 at the President Fidel V. Ramos (PFVR) gymnasium under the Akay ni Sol program.
In a resolution authored by Councilor Betty Lourdes F. Tabanda, local legislators stated that the local government is one with the AKAY foundation in pursuing the noble mission of exiting assistance to the PWDs as it recognizes the significance of cooperation and partnership among the private and public stakeholders in upholding the dignity of the vulnerable and marginalized sectors by connecting science and technology innovation with those needing it most.
The Akay ni Sol program is an initiative of the AKAY foundation, a non-profit organization founded by former news reporter and 3-term Congresswoman Sol Aragones of the 3rd district of Laguna.
The said program aims to advance the well being and inclusion of the PWDs by providing various initiatives and services, awareness and advocacies, skills trainings, resource mobilization and provision of assistive devices for the upliftment of the promotion of the dignity and quality of life of the PWDs.
Further, the program was brought to the city and that the details of the said initiative were discussed and finalized by representatives from the Office of Persons with Disability Affairs and the City Health Services Office with their counterparts from the AKAY foundation.
On September 10, 2023, 90 stroke patients and PWDs received Xtern foot drops while 100 others received various assistive mobility aids such as wheelchairs, canes, and walkers after the conduct of screening.
The body stipulated that disabilities cover a wide range of circumstances that may include natural, medical-related, or accident-related.
The Akay ni Sol program is being conducted to create a more inclusive and accessible society for the PWDs so that they, like anybody else, deserve equal treatment, opportunities, support and respect.