Summit promotes PWDs inclusion, contribution to community, economy

The Philippines should make a stronger effort at promoting inclusion of the PWDs (persons with disabilities) and tap a sector that can potentially make substantial contributions to the community and national economy.

This was the call made during the recent Barangay Walang Iwanan 2019 Summit organized by non-profit organization Gawad Kalinga, French platform Convergences and French nongovernment organization ACTED, an NGO trio spearheading the 3Zero (Zero Exclusion, Zero Carbon, and Zero Poverty) Philippines goal.

“The sad truth is that PWDs are left behind when it comes to the progress of the country and they deserve equal rights and treatment as every other regular person,” said Fabien Courteille, the Philippine lead for 3Zero Philippines at the BWI 2019 Summit held last month.

“Our Barangay Walang Iwanan 2019 summit is the best avenue for key players and actors in society to work together and come up with the best solutions to our most pressing environmental and social issues in the country,” he added.

Courteille stressed that the community can do much more to “pave the way toward a 3Zero Philippines.”

“We are hopeful that we will be able to encourage more youth, stakeholders and key decision makers to be part of our movement for a Zero Inclusion, Zero Carbon, and Zero Poverty Philippines,” he said.

The BWI 2019 aimed to gather stakeholders to discuss and act on urgent social and environmental issues, transforming Filipino communities toward the 3Zero goal.

Also at the BWI 2019 summit, Carmen Reyes Zubiaga, officer-in-charge of the National Council on Disability Affairs, admitted that the government continues to be behind in addressing the barriers PWDs face to participate and partake of the benefits from social and economic activities in their communities.