Antique Atelier opens

VIPs at ribbon cutting of Antique Atelier. Photo by PIA-Antique

Antique Atelier opened July 23 marking the culmination of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week with theme "Mainstreaming Persons with Disability in Economic Development."

Antique Atelier serves as a showroom and promotion center of the fashion accessories made by persons with disability.  It a partial fulfillment of the Developing Opportunity Equalization in Responsible and Sustainable Tourism (DOERS) Program of the Association of Disabled Persons, Inc. - Antique supported by the local government unit of San Jose de Buenavista, Antique and Liliane Foundation Philippines.

Gracing the inauguration and blessing ceremony were Antique Governor Exequiel B. Javier, Vice Governor Rosie Dimamay, San Jose de Buenavista Mayor Rony L. Molina, Liliane Foundation Sr. Agnetia Naval, ADP-Antique President Nancy Tejares, Liliane Foundation Mediator Ma. Elena Molina, Municipal Council on Disability Affairs Chairman Jose Magbanua, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Agnes Gallano, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office representative and Department of Social Welfare and Development VI focal person for person with disability.

Guest list also included Department of Trade and Industry - Antique Provincial Director Jose Divinagarcia, Philippine Information Agency - Antique Manager Margie Gadian, former Lin-ay kang Antique Rubie Riza Estaris-Villavert,  San Jose LGU department heads, bank managers and local officials.

This is a pioneering project for persons with disability in the whole Western Visayas according to Mayor Molina.

San Jose dB improves accessibility of town's hall to PWDs

San Jose de Buenavista inaugurated its 1:12 slanted ramp so that everyone can access the municipal services.

The activity coincided with the culmination of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.

Entrance of the ramp is located inside the Evelio B. Javier Memorial Library of the municipality.

Production Center for PWDs to rise in San Jose dB

Photo by Michael Tonding

The Municipality of San Jose de Buenavista breaks ground for an “accessibility model” Production and Promotion Center for persons with disability. 

PWDs and their family are among the untapped human resources that have not been given full equal access and opportunity to economic activities. 

Among the hindering factors on the inability or the non-consideration of PWDs in gainful employment is their physical incapacity thus a working area that complies with all accessibility features and standards must be established. 

             The Center aims to promote equalization of opportunities, provide several sources of income and enable PWDs and family members to become producers, service providers and business managers.

Aside from being a productivity center, it shall also serve as a learning center for accessibility features to encourage and advocate public’s compliance to the Accessibility Law.

            The activity is part of the Developing Opportunity Equalization in Responsible and Sustainable Tourism (DOERS) Program to be implemented by Persons with Disabilities Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Association of Disabled Persons, Inc. – San Jose, Antique Chapter and the local government of San Jose de Buenavista.

Photo by Michael Tonding

            A Memorandum of Agreement between the LGU, and ADP-San Jose, Antique Chapter and project donor Liliane Foundation was signed during the ceremony. 

            Present in the event were San Jose de Buenavista Mayor Rony L. Molina, Liliane Foundation National Coordinator Sr. Agnetia Naval, Governor Exequiel B. Javier, ADP-Antique President Nancy Tejares, Municipal Council for Disability Affairs (MCDA) Chairperson Engr. Jose Magbanua, SB Members, LGU Department Heads and council members especially the medical practitioners.