TAW Kabui’s beads making potential, spotted. Three lady executives, charmed by the accessories made by Taw-Kabui for a Child Incorporated’s staff and parents of students with intellectual disabilities, agreed that the project deserves some push, to better take off. From left: TKCI Executive Director Pastor Ramon Rosario, Department of Tourism Director Maria Rica C. Bueno, Puerto Princesa City Tourism Officer Ms. Rebecca Labit and NCDA Acting Executive Director Carmen Reyes-Zubiaga and behind her, TKCI’s Program Manager.  [...] 

US Ambassador Harry Thomas joins NCDA Acting Executive Director Carmen Reyes-Zubiaga and TCD Chief Nelia R. de Jesus for a posterity shot at the IFTA Dinner tendered by the Ambassador for partners. NCDA works closely with the AFS-IPP on the reentry plan for returning scholars, many of them now strong advocates on the rights of persons with disabilities. [...] 

Big TY for NCDA. AFS officers join three AFS exchange students to thank program partner NCDA for the “maleta” (suitcase) send-off, prior to their U.S. flight to start their AFS year. From left, Ms. Tisha Lee Eduave, Programs Manager, AFS Intercultural Programs (IPP) Ms. Beth Eduave, Volunteer & Charter Development Manager, Nonie Lumbis of Camarines Sur National High School now in Winton Woods High School, Cincinnati Ohio, Jayson Peralta of Ramon National High School, Isabela now in John Glen High school, Michigan, and Nicole Linsangan of Isabela School for the Deaf, now in Marshal High School, San Antonio Texas, NCDA-TCD Chief Nelia de Jesus and AFS-IPP staff Danette “Dee”Rico. [...] 

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) represented by Ms. Elizabeth Cuisia chairs the meeting on the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) Sub-Committee on Advocacy whose members are mostly Information Officers of the national government agencies (NGAs) – Public Affairs Division, leaders of disabled people’s organizations and non-government organizations and the private sector. Discussions tackled the members’ programs and advocacy strategies relating to the 10 Goals of the Incheon Strategy to Make the Rights Real for Persons with Disability in Asia and Pacific, 2013-2022 and Inclusion and/or Full Participation of Persons with Disability in the Society. Further, the NCDA adoption/implementation in their own agency mandates. In the photo are (L-R) NCDA Acting Executive Director Carmen Reyes-Zubiaga, Kapisanan ng Mga Brodkasters sa Pilipinas (KBP)Executive Director Reynaldo Hulog, Autism Society Philippines (ASP) Mr. Rafael Torralba, Alyansa ng Maykapansanang Pinoy (AKAP-Pinoy) Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Taleon, Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Ms. Victoria Paces-Apacible, Department of Health (DOH) Ms. Alegria Gabian and Department of Trade and Industry Director Thelma Dumpit-Murillo, Foundation on Communication Initiatives, (FOCI) Ms. Criselle Capistrano and Ms. Emily Abrera, Department of Social Welfare and Development Mr. Jaime Marino, Philippine News Agency (PNA) Ms. Leilani Junio, Information Communications and Telecommunications Office (ICTO) Madonna Estrelles. Other members include Department of Tourism (DOT), Director Evelyn Macayayong, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Atty. Ronnie Rosero, Mr. Ranil Sorongon, ASP Consultant, Ms. Violeta Rojas of the New Vois Association, National Youth Commission (NYC), Mr. Patrick Umali, and Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Ms. Jessica Ragaza. [...] 

National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) Director Carmen Reyes-Zubiaga (top right on wheelchair) strongly expresses her appreciation to Taguig City Government and to its developing community in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) for hosting the Freedom Walk 2013. Director Zubiaga said that Taguig City Government can be considered as one of the model Local Government Units (LGUs) for having Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) created, and developing Bonifacio Global City a PWD Inclusive Community. She appealed to other LGUs to start creating their PDAO so that programs for PWDs will be given more priority. More than 1000 joined the Freedom Walk composed of National Government Agencies (NGAs), LGUs and Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs). At the back of Director Zubiaga are: (L-R) Captain Oscar J, Taleon, President and lead organizer, Alyansa ng Maykapansang Pinoy (AKAP-Pinoy); Vice-Mayor Ricardo “Ading” Cruz, Jr., Taguig City; Undersecretary Corazon T. Jimenez, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA); Mr. Manuel Agcaoili, Chairman, AKAP-Pinoy; Engr. Emerito Rojas, PWD Sectoral Representative of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC); Ms. Yuli Pesigan, Muse and Mr. Larry Supaz, PDAO Officer, Taguig City. Below photo on the right are the NCDA officers and staff. [...] 

A 10-Day Training on “Mobile Computer Appreciation Course” was conducted in partnership with the Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired (ATRIEV). This is in line with AVRC’s thrust to enable the PWDs achieve equal opportunities to compete in today’s rapidly changing socio-economic conditions. Twenty-seven (27) PWD trainees and trainers participated in the said activity which exposed them to Basic Computer Course. Likewise, they were given opportunities to explore other learning insights using Computers. The training was held on June 10-21, 2013 at AVRC1 Conference Room with Mr. Antonio D. Llanes Executive Director of ATRIEV as the training facilitator. [...] 

To promote awareness on disability programs, the NCDA recently participated in the Kabisig Government Expo and Trade Fair 2013 held at the Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. The NCDA Exhibit dubbed as “Disability Information Booth featured services and accomplishments, profiles, mission and vision and at the same time encourage exhibitors/participants to make their programs responsive to persons with disabilities. Around 67 government organizations (GOs) , government owned controlled corporations (GOCCs), Local Government Units (LGUs) and Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) joined the Trade Fair. In the photo are: Secretary Sonny Coloma (extreme left) of the Philippine Information Agency and Presidential Communication Operations Office, Deputy Executive Director Mateo A. Lee, Jr. (center) of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), Chairman Daniel C. Guillen (3rd from the right) of the Kabisig People’s Movement, Councilor Alex Santa Maria (2nd from right), Mandaluyong City.  [...] 

Secretary Sonny Coloma (2nd from right) of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and Presidential Communication Operations Office joins the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) Information Officers, Rizalio R. Sanchez (2nd from left), Barbara P. Ganaden (extreme left) and Lila Lynn S. Simon (extreme right) during the recent participation of the NCDA to the Kabisig Government and Trade Fair 2013 on June 10-12 at Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. Featured as “Disability Information Booth”, it promotes awareness on disability programs, services and accomplishments including NCDA profiles, mission and vision and at the same time encourage exhibitors/participants to make their programs responsive to persons with disabilities. Around 67 government organizations, local government units and government financial institutions also joined the Trade Fair. [...] 

Ms. Keri Dooley (standing 4th from the left), Vice President for Sponsored Programs of AFS – USA together with AFS – Intercultural Programs Philippines (AFS-IPP) Officials renews ties with the Council in sending PWD exchange students in the US. Acting Executive Director Carmen Zubiaga led AFS-YES Alumni Yamie Fiestada (extreme left) and SPED teacher Carla dela Cruz (seated right) in welcoming the group and sharing the activities of the Council in partnership with the AFS-IPP. [...] 

Little Miss “Jojo” Navarrete does some serious work on the APT set on display at NCDA made by Carmona-Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) team. APT stands for “Appropriate Paper-based Technology”, which according to its author Beville Parker, makes something useful from nothing (waste paper/cardboards) and should be STRONG, USEFUL, ATTRACTIVE AND LOW-COST. Trained by an NCDA Team last year on APT basics, Carmona PDAO got Mayor Dahlia Loyola’s nod, and is into production in a big way. To date, the group has sold over 20 kiddie sets locally, and counting… For inquiries, contact Youth Development Officer Rosebelle Mercurio at email address pwdco_mun.carmona@yahoo.com. For interested persons with disabilities, contact tcdncda@yahoo.com.ph. [...]