AS a show of support to handicapped people who continue to be members of society, the local government of Muntinlupa entered into a partnership with The Birthright Educators Foundation Inc. (TBEFI) for the implementation of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) to persons with disabilities (PWD) in the locality.
Being a special education (Sped) school, TBEFI has the capacity to transfer knowledge on CBR, a World Health Organization (WHO) program aimed at improving the quality of life of PWDs and their families by meeting their basic needs, while ensuring their inclusion and participation in community activities.
The signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the two parties was led by Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and TBEFI Executive Director Miriam del Rosario during Muntinlupa’s PWD Action Planning Workshop on March 20.
Per the MOA, TBEFI will be providing technical assistance to the city government for the application of CBR programs in mainstreaming disability in development initiatives.
The Sped school will give consultancy for trainings on Understanding Disability and Roles of Parents in the Rehabilitation, Home Program Management for Child Development and Therapy, Leadership Training, Intervention Planning and Home Program Management for Child Development, among others.
Fresnedi expressed his gratitude to TBEFI for supporting his administration’s effort to champion the rights of PWDs.
The local chief executive advocates the empowerment of disabled individuals and their families by promoting their inclusion and participation in development and decision-making processes.
Muntinlupa will soon have a Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in accordance with the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability. The creation of PDAO is already in the third reading of the City Council, said Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro.
She added the institutionalization of a special agency for PWDs will enhance the local government’s services in addressing the concerns of incapacitated people.