MALATE, Manila- In observance of the 38^th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week celebration, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) MiMaRoPa will conduct a one day policy forum on inclusive development of Person with Disability (PWD) on July 27 in Puerto Princesa City Palawan.

“This forum aims to increase public awareness on disability issues and concerns that will strengthen the involvement of the different government and non-government organizations, civil society and PWD organizations,” said Focal Person Maricel dela Vega.

One hundred fifteen participants from the  local government units, representatives from private establishments, PWD groups, and Palawan-based inter-agencies are  invited.

This year’s celebration theme, “Karapatan ng May kapansan, Isakatuparan…Now Na!”

The 2015 Listahanan database- a mechanism of identifying who and where the poor are, reveals that there are 14,453 poor persons with disability in Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan (MiMaRoPa).

From the identified number of poor, 4,023 PWDs claimed to be household heads who are mostly male.  Also, there are 3,562 poor PWDs with occupation: 1,904 PWDs are laborers and unskilled workers; 1,658 PWDs are working in short-term, casual or seasonal jobs.

Dela Vega encourages public to take active responsibility in uplifting the economic and social conditions of persons with disabilities.

Malacañan Proclamation No. 361 declares the third week of July as the NDPR week to culminate on the birthdate of sublime paralytic: Apolinario Mabini on July 23 each year. ###