Government working towards changing 'mistaken notions' towards people with disabilities – Aquino
The government is working towards changing the “mistaken notions” people have against people with disabilities (PWDs), President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Tuesday.
In his speech keynoting the 2nd Asia-Pacific Community-based Rehabilitation Congress held on Tuesday at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Pasay City, President Aquino said that his government's pledge to “guarantee” equitability and growth was for all.
“When we promised inclusive growth, we promised it to all Filipinos, including those who by virtue of certain limitations, tend to be thought of as being unable to contribute to society. This is not necessarily a mindset that comes from cruelty, but one that perhaps only stems from ignorance and mistaken notions,” the President said.
“And this is something that we want to change, because we know that to perpetuate this prejudice means not only depriving persons with disabilities of their rights, but, more importantly, depriving them of their dreams,” he added.
He said local and national government have already instituted measures to this end through the implementation of community-based rehabilitation strategies.
“Their measures can be as simple as ensuring that someone in a wheelchair is able to move around freely, whether it be to attend school or to file paperwork at the municipal office, or as far-reaching as providing them with opportunities for education and livelihood,” the President said.
On the national level, the President said, the government has put up centers that can provide rehabilitation and care to persons with disabilities, and programs that can help them stand on their own two feet, by providing them with access to training and employment opportunities.
“All of the steps we have taken so far, from instituting fair and honest business practices and good governance in the Philippines, to ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities, are in line with our administration’s dream for the Philippines,” the President said.
“It is not only growth we are after, but inclusive growth; not only progress, but equitable progress. I am sure that this is something you can understand and empathize with, as you too work for the same things in your respective countries and organizations,” he said. (PCOO)
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Aquino lauds 2nd Asia-Pacific Community-Based Congress
President Benigno S. Aquino III lauded on Tuesday participants to the 2nd Asia-Pacific Community-Based Rehabilitation Congress for showing to the world that every person counts towards achieving prosperity and growth.
“Through this Congress, we are showing the world that we recognize the right of every person to be part of growth, but more importantly, that we recognize every person’s capacity to contribute in a meaningful way to moving the country forward,” the President said in his keynote speech at the Sofitel Plaza Hotel in Pasay City.
The Congress aims to promote multi-sectoral partnerships towards taking effective and appropriate measures to enable persons with disabilities to attain and maintain maximum independence, full physical, mental, social and vocational ability and full inclusion and participation in all aspects of life as embodied in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
The President challenged the 640 delegates representing 63 countries who attended the three-day affair to forge on towards achieving equality for all including persons with disabilities (PWDs).
“And even in a day as important as this one, we recognize that this is not the culmination of our work; rather, we reinvigorate ourselves to face the challenges that remain,” the President said.
“Despite the positive developments, we must not allow ourselves to be complacent. This is the attitude that all of us must adopt, not merely in improving the lives of persons with disabilities, but in improving the lives of people,” he added.
He pledged government support to the goals of the Community-Based Rehabilitation Congress and vowed to work tirelessly -- “…so long as there are children who deserve an education but cannot get one, so long as there are Filipinos who want to work and provide for their families but cannot do so through no fault of their own, and so long as there are persons with disabilities that are prevented from living full and meaningful lives.
“My message of today is clear: if we work hard, if we work together, if we work in the name of justice, if we do not stray from the straight and righteous path – we will arrive at the destination we have all aspired for from the very beginning: a Philippines, an Asia, and a world that prospers under the clear light of day,” the President said. (PCOO)
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Aquino meets congressmen's wives; discusses collaboration
President Benigno S. Aquino III had met the members of the Congressional Spouses Foundation Inc. (CSFI) in Malacanang Tuesday afternoon and discussed future collaboration on various projects with the group.
During their meeting, the President and the congressmen’s wives had an informal discussion on projects and concerns of the foundation. He said his administration is open for cooperation on a wide range of endeavors and the government is always willing to help.
The discussion focused on education, livelihood and other issues. But the President said his government is particularly interested in the agriculture sector and willing to collaborate with organizations like the CSFI to help the sector.
The agriculture sector is a top priority of the government after typhoons devastated wide areas of farmlands that displaced a large number of farmers, the President said.
According to the President, the agriculture department is providing certified seeds to assist farmers at this time.
CSFI, which has advocacies on health, livelihood, social services, violence against children, and women's rights, was organized to complement the legislative initiatives of members of the House of Representatives through various socio-civic actions.
The organization particularly focuses its advocacy on anti-violence against women and children. Its current project includes providing haven for abused and battered women as well as street children. (PCOO)
The government is working towards changing the “mistaken notions” people have against people with disabilities (PWDs), President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Tuesday.
In his speech keynoting the 2nd Asia-Pacific Community-based Rehabilitation Congress held on Tuesday at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Pasay City, President Aquino said that his government's pledge to “guarantee” equitability and growth was for all.
“When we promised inclusive growth, we promised it to all Filipinos, including those who by virtue of certain limitations, tend to be thought of as being unable to contribute to society. This is not necessarily a mindset that comes from cruelty, but one that perhaps only stems from ignorance and mistaken notions,” the President said.
“And this is something that we want to change, because we know that to perpetuate this prejudice means not only depriving persons with disabilities of their rights, but, more importantly, depriving them of their dreams,” he added.
He said local and national government have already instituted measures to this end through the implementation of community-based rehabilitation strategies.
“Their measures can be as simple as ensuring that someone in a wheelchair is able to move around freely, whether it be to attend school or to file paperwork at the municipal office, or as far-reaching as providing them with opportunities for education and livelihood,” the President said.
On the national level, the President said, the government has put up centers that can provide rehabilitation and care to persons with disabilities, and programs that can help them stand on their own two feet, by providing them with access to training and employment opportunities.
“All of the steps we have taken so far, from instituting fair and honest business practices and good governance in the Philippines, to ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities, are in line with our administration’s dream for the Philippines,” the President said.
“It is not only growth we are after, but inclusive growth; not only progress, but equitable progress. I am sure that this is something you can understand and empathize with, as you too work for the same things in your respective countries and organizations,” he said. (PCOO)
.
Aquino lauds 2nd Asia-Pacific Community-Based Congress
President Benigno S. Aquino III lauded on Tuesday participants to the 2nd Asia-Pacific Community-Based Rehabilitation Congress for showing to the world that every person counts towards achieving prosperity and growth.
“Through this Congress, we are showing the world that we recognize the right of every person to be part of growth, but more importantly, that we recognize every person’s capacity to contribute in a meaningful way to moving the country forward,” the President said in his keynote speech at the Sofitel Plaza Hotel in Pasay City.
The Congress aims to promote multi-sectoral partnerships towards taking effective and appropriate measures to enable persons with disabilities to attain and maintain maximum independence, full physical, mental, social and vocational ability and full inclusion and participation in all aspects of life as embodied in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
The President challenged the 640 delegates representing 63 countries who attended the three-day affair to forge on towards achieving equality for all including persons with disabilities (PWDs).
“And even in a day as important as this one, we recognize that this is not the culmination of our work; rather, we reinvigorate ourselves to face the challenges that remain,” the President said.
“Despite the positive developments, we must not allow ourselves to be complacent. This is the attitude that all of us must adopt, not merely in improving the lives of persons with disabilities, but in improving the lives of people,” he added.
He pledged government support to the goals of the Community-Based Rehabilitation Congress and vowed to work tirelessly -- “…so long as there are children who deserve an education but cannot get one, so long as there are Filipinos who want to work and provide for their families but cannot do so through no fault of their own, and so long as there are persons with disabilities that are prevented from living full and meaningful lives.
“My message of today is clear: if we work hard, if we work together, if we work in the name of justice, if we do not stray from the straight and righteous path – we will arrive at the destination we have all aspired for from the very beginning: a Philippines, an Asia, and a world that prospers under the clear light of day,” the President said. (PCOO)
.
Aquino meets congressmen's wives; discusses collaboration
President Benigno S. Aquino III had met the members of the Congressional Spouses Foundation Inc. (CSFI) in Malacanang Tuesday afternoon and discussed future collaboration on various projects with the group.
During their meeting, the President and the congressmen’s wives had an informal discussion on projects and concerns of the foundation. He said his administration is open for cooperation on a wide range of endeavors and the government is always willing to help.
The discussion focused on education, livelihood and other issues. But the President said his government is particularly interested in the agriculture sector and willing to collaborate with organizations like the CSFI to help the sector.
The agriculture sector is a top priority of the government after typhoons devastated wide areas of farmlands that displaced a large number of farmers, the President said.
According to the President, the agriculture department is providing certified seeds to assist farmers at this time.
CSFI, which has advocacies on health, livelihood, social services, violence against children, and women's rights, was organized to complement the legislative initiatives of members of the House of Representatives through various socio-civic actions.
The organization particularly focuses its advocacy on anti-violence against women and children. Its current project includes providing haven for abused and battered women as well as street children. (PCOO)
