Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is expected to speak at a National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week event on Tuesday, July 23, at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City. According to Provincial Social Welfare Officer Elena Serenias, around 300 members of the local disabled community will be in attendance, alongside Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer and Provincial Board Member Araceli Somosa.
During the event, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) will also be providing blood pressure checks, random blood sugar testing, and dental services.
Among other officials expected to address the event include PHO head, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang; Department of Health-Region VI director, Dr. Marlyn Convocar; Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Director Evelyn Macapobre; along with representatives from the Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education Skills and Development Authority, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Department of Labor and Employment.
In addition, Toboso municipal health officer, Dr. Allan Paul Becina, will deliver a lecture on substance abuse.
National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, which is observed during the third week of July, was introduced through Presidential Proclamation No. 361, signed in 2000 by then-President Joseph Estrada.
According to the proclamation, “It is the national interest to stimulate public awareness on the problems of disability and encourage every citizen to take active responsibility in the upliftment of the economic and social conditions of [persons with disabilities in] our society; thereby, encouraging them to take pro-active roles in nation building.”/WDJ