3-9. Disability Equality Training (DET) Seminar in New Lucena, Iloilo

Mr. Antony Bangeles (left, Green Shirt) facilitates the group activity during the DET Seminar in New Lucena.

The Disability Equality Training (DET) Seminar for Barangay Officials in New Lucena, Iloilo was held last February 25, 2011 at the Iloilo Grand Hotel in Iloilo City. The seminar was conducted by Mr. Antony Bangeles, an ex-participant of DET Training of Trainers (TOT) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last November 2010, and co-facilitated by Ms. Ckeesandra Lyn Solinap, ex-participant of DET TOT 2009 in Manila. The seminar is part of Mr. Bangeles's action plan developed during the DET training in Maaysia.

Fifteen (15) Barangay Captains and twenty one (21) Barangay Councilors, in charge of infrastructure and social welfare, from seventeen (17) Barangays in New Lucena Municipality attended the seminar.

The objectives of the Seminar were (1) to understand and learn disability in social model perspective; (2) to realize the existing problems that hinder disabled people to join social activities in their community and enjoy their lives as human beings; and, (3) to imbibe the DET purpose and ultimate goal.

In the group activity, participants were asked to analyze some photos that have positive or negatives images of disabled people. Illustrations and videos were also shown for the participants to identify disabling societies and to analyze problems being faced by disabled people. Participants were then asked to write down the possible solutions to solve these problems using the social model perspective. They were also encouraged to make group action plans for their barangays to promote DET and support its goal to change their society.

Participants of the DET Seminar pose together with their facilitators and organizers.

Additional presentation on Philippine Laws for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) was also given during the seminar. These laws are the (1) Republic Act (R.A.) 7277 "Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities", (2) R.A. 9442 "Amendment of the Republic Act 7277"; (3) R.A. 10070 "Establishing of the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO)"; and, (4) the Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 "Accessibility Law". The presentation also included the roles and responsibilities of the National Council of Disability Affairs (NCDA) and the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled Persons - National Paralympics Committee of the Philippines (PHILSPADA - NPC Philippines).