RP Joins UN-ESCAP’s Intergovernmental Meeting to Assess AP Decade of Persons with Disabilities
November 21, 2012
‘’MAKE THE RIGHT REAL-PHilippine Delegation – Standing left to right: DSWD Undersecretary & In-Charge of NCDA/Head of the Delegation Parisya L. Taradji, NCDA-Programs Management Division Assistant Chief/Planning Officer IV Marlu F. Evangelista, Eleanor Naidas, DOTC-Accessibility Task Force Member, DepEd Undersecretary Yolanda Quijano, Elenita Asuncion and Irene Dimapilis, members, DOTC Task Force on Accessibility. Front Row: NCDA Acting Executive Director Carmen Reyes-Zubiaga and Mr. Henry Tianero representing the Department of Labor and Employment
The Philippine delegation closing ranks. The ‘’Incheon Strategy on Disability Inclusive Development’’ was adopted by the member countries of the Asian and the Pacific Region, with the Philippines underscoring the active participation of DPOs in the monitoring and evaluation of the new decade.
The RP Team is set to launch a high-powered consultation back home, to draw a National Action Plan for a new Decade of Persons with Disabilities, carrying the theme “Make the Right Real”.
RP TEAM Bags 2 “Global IT Challenge Grand Prizes and 1 Special Award in Korea
November 16, 2012
Our 6-man “Make the Right Real Team Philippines” brought home 3 awards, 2 grand champion and a special award in e-Life, e-Tools and slogan making contests in ‘Global IT Challenge for Youth with Disabilities’ in Song Do University, Incheon, Korea. Young champs are Ezekiel John Erpelo (MCCID Institute of Technology), Caroll Ann de Belen (Manila High School) and Joseph Gabriel Vesagas (Independent Learning Center).
Proudly Filipinos!! Clockwise, 1) Ezekiel ‘’ÉJ’’ John Erpelo , grand prize winner, e-Life (web browsing/research), 2) whole team from left, Jabby Vesagas, slogan making special awardee, Gerson Peralta, Philippine National School for the Blind, team leader/coordinator NCDA staff Jennifer Garcia, Caroll Ann and EJ; 3) Winners EJ, Caroll Ann and Jabby with their laptop prizes; and 4) Caroll Ann gets grand prize for e-Tool.
The 6-man “MAKE THE RIGHT REAL- TEAM PHILIPPINES” led by NCDA staff Jennifer Garcia represented the country and bested other bets from 27 countries in this event held last October 29 to November 2, 2012. Ms. Garcia, herself with disability was the Team Coordinator, and was one of the presentors who spoke on “Accessible ICT in the Philippines”.
Musashi University Professor Shares Disability Insights with NCDA
September 12, 2012
Last minute, but productive chat. Prior to her flight back home, Sociology Professor Naoko Takeda, Ph.D. from Musashi University, Tokyo Japan, traded notes with NCDA ED Carmen Reyes-Zubiaga (above right photo) and staff, (from left, TCD Chief Nelia de Jesus, Project Dev’t. Officer Josephine Despi and PMD’s Planning Officer Delfina “Bing” Bacquir), on community-based livelihood programs of/for persons with disabilities. This meeting would spin off following future joint projects: 1) field visits of Japanese sociology students to local livelihood projects such as beauty salon, bakeries and eateries run/manned by persons with disabilities, 2) posting of counterpart projects c/o Musashi University in Tokyo, Japan, on the Council website and other related info exchange.
Youth Ambassadors Rocel and Jene Boy Start ‘AFS Year’ In America
September 4, 2012
2 Pinoy Scholars eagerly begin their Life-changing Year in Washington D.C. Rocel Sison of the Philippine National School for the Blind and Jene Boy Deculing of Isabela school for the Deaf, join exchange students from all over the world on their orientation prior to placements for 1 year, in respective schools and foster families in California and Arizona.
NCDA-AFS Intercultural Philippines ‘Maleta’ Turnover. Executive Director Carmen Reyes-Zubiaga and DED Matt Lee, Jr. with Americal Field Service – Intercultural Programs Philippines (AFS-IPP) Volunteer Development Manager Beth Eduave, turn over traditional token suitcases to the young scholars joined by their parents, mentors,returning scholars and Council staff.
This joint project of the NCDA, AFS-IPP and the U.S. Government, gives 2-3 scholarship slots for PWDs out of 40, every year. As the local government’s pitch for disability-inclusive education called for in the “UN-Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities”, this also aims to groom future PWD leaders/rights advocates in the country. Rocel and Jene Boy, now students in California and Arizona respectively, will make a total of 17, fielded since 2004, and are now making indelible marks in their studies and careers. For those interested to apply, please check out http://www.ncda.gov.ph/k-l-yes-afs-philippines/
Queensland University of Technology Coordinator Keeps Tab of Pinoy Fellows Action Plan
May 2, 2012
On the upper left corner, the “Filipino participants to the 2011 Australian Leadership Awards Fellowship” standing from the left Ms. Lila Simon (NCDA), Mr. Romeo Mina (DepED), Ms. Susita Bulawit (DILG), Mr. Vincent Sacriz (QUT, Australia), Ms. Florita Bisco (NCDA) and Mr. Mike Limon (NCDA). Sitting from the left Ms. Josephine Despi (NCDA), Capt. Oscar Taleon (AKaPinoy), Ms. Daylinda Taleon (AKaPinoy) and Ms. Gertrude Pabelona (HOR).
On the lower right corner, the “NCDA Officers with Vincent” standing from the left, Ms. Josephine Despi, Mr. Vincent Sacriz, Deputy Executive Director Mr. Mateo A. Lee, Jr., Ms. Nelia De Jesus, Ms. Ruth Tacujan, Ms. Marlu Evangelista, Ms. Cynthia Barriga and Ms. Leovigilda Oasin.
In town to monitor the Pinoy Fellows’ post-training accomplishments, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Mr. Vincent Sacriz, mentor and training coordinator of the 2011 Australian Leadership Awards Fellowship re-united with the 2011 Filipino Fellows on April 19, 2012 at the NCDA to monitor the group’s progress.
To sustain QUT-NCDA collaboration, Mr. Sacriz also met with NCDA Officers headed by its Deputy Executive Director for an update on the current and future Project Proposals under AusAID and invited the Council to submit relevant proposals for latter’s consideration.
AusAID Supports Three Big Disability Events!
March 29, 2012
The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) has not just been helping develop PWDs and partners through overseas scholarships. It has also spurred active participation of women with disabilities and support groups in local fora on the rights of PWDs.
The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) was one of the sponsors of the collaborated activity during the celebration of the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities” on December 3, 2011. The Council, through the National Steering committee created five (5) Thematic Sub-Groups to mark the celebration. One of these groups is the “Sub-Group on Gender: Including Women and Girls with Disabilities, chaired by Ms. Carmen Reyes-Zubiaga, President, WOWLEAP.
Ms. Zubiaga led the “Leadership Training for Women with Disabilities in Advocacy and Orientation on Gender and Development Programming at the Community Level” held at Bayview Hotel on November 23-24, 2011 attended by women and girls with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities and Focal Persons from various regions. The activity trained participants to lead advocacy initiatives and collaborations with partners in government and private sector towards empowerment of women and children with disabilities.
Korean Team’s Power Wheelchair Spurs Young Pinay Rights Advocate
January 24, 2012
International Cooperation at Work! DSWD Undersecretary and NCDA’s OIC/ED Alicia R. Bala , Global Cancer Ambassador and New Vois Association of the Philippines President Emer Rojas and wife Volet cheer the first ride of new and lucky power wheelchair owner Carla dela Cruz, another highlight of the December 2, 2011 “Asia Pacific’s Walk for the Rights of PWDs”. Carla, an AFS-YES scholar and a cum laude graduate of Trinity University of Asia, BS Education major in SPED, looks forward to using her power cruiser in her future teaching career.
Other Korean team members who joined the ‘Walk’ aside from Dr. Lee and Mr. Choi were Prof. Yong-gil Jo of Gosin University Dept. of Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mr. Jin Woo Lee, Branch Chair, Association of Disabled People’s Rights Support, Bright Tomorrow Director Kyung Ja Lee and Good Job Center for Independent Living Assistant Kwanghee Choi.
The Korean delegates took the opportunity to join the “2nd Asia Pacific CBR Congress” hosted by the country last November 29-30, 2011, and urged NCDA to facilitate their exchange on rights issues on a regular basis, with their local counterpart people’s organizations and partners.
NCDA – Australian Development Scholarship Awardee Returns Home
January 12, 2012
Fatima A. Garon, Project Evaluation Officer I of NCDA has successfully completed her post-graduate program under the Australian Development Scholarship (ADS) for year 2011. Ms. Garon studied Master of Social Science with Specialization on Human Service Management at University of Newcastle, Australia. As part of the program a Re-Entry Action Plan (REAP) on Good Governance for Educational and Economic Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities will be implemented upon her return to the country.