Differently abled persons get prosthetic assistive devices

TACLOBAN CITY — Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico “Mic” Petilla had distributed prosthetic assistive devices to persons with disability (PWDs) at the culmination program of the 38th National Disability Prevention Week (NDPW) observance rites held in this city recently.

It was a fulfillment of the provincial government’s commitment to help PWDs, who have been accorded with lesser attention in the past over other priorities.

The week-long observance of NDPW, which bannered the theme “Karapatan ng may Kapansanan Isakatuparan, Now Na,” enlivened the people’s awareness more on the significant role of PWDs in the society despite their physical handicap, the governor said.

Earlier, PWDs from Leyte won medals in swimming, javelin throw and shot put competitions in the National Para-lympic games held in Marikina City, according to Gina Gerez, information officer of the Leyte Capitol.

Petilla expressed pride in the achievements of these PWDs, adding that they had inspired the Leyteños to excel in their career in spite of their handicap.

“You cannot just be left alone in this province. Everybody has the freedom to move around, including you,” Petilla told the PWDs, as he assured them of the provincial government’s continuous assistance in their endeavors.

The Federation of Differently Abled Persons of Leyte meanwhile, during the culmination program of the NDPW observance, had concluded its elections of new officers, topped by Victoria Tibre of La Paz town, as its president, and Noli Elarde Comora of Burauen town, as vice president.—