The Regional Committee on Disability Affairs in the Western Visayas recently met to discuss National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, which begins today, July 17, and ends on Monday, July 23.

Among the events include an opening program today at SM City Iloilo and a health fair from July 19 to 20 at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City.

Following the observance, wheelchair distributions will take place in Iloilo. The first is scheduled for July 26 in Oton, then on July 27 in Ajuy.

National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week was created through Presidential Proclamation No. 1870, signed by then-President Ferdinand Marcos.

According to the document, the observance formed in an effort to “stimulate public awareness of the problems of disability and encourage every citizen to take active responsibility in the uplifting of the economic and social conditions of the disabled members of our society.”/WDJ