MOA inked to help persons with disability

San Jose, Antique—Handicap International (HI), a non-government International Solidarity Organization, represented by Mr. Benjamin Gobin and the Provincial Government of Antique, represented by Governor Salvacion Z. Perez together with the Municipal Governments of Anini -y, Belison , Tobias Fornier , Hamtic and San Jose de Buenavista represented by its respective Municipal Mayors, Glenn Hernaez , Christopher Piccio , Ma. Orchid Fornier , Julius Pacificador and Fenando Corvera , made and entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to complement the existing programs and projects being implemented by the local government units (LGU), particularly those related to the prevention of disability and the rehabilitation of persons with disability.

The MOA states that HI will be chiefly responsible to the donor agency for the systematic facilitation of the implementation of the campaign activities.   For this purpose, HI will hire four full time project staff composed of physical therapist, technician, CBR trainer and social communication worker for a two month period to provide the direct rehabilitation services and support activities.   This program also aims to provide 25 qualified persons with disability from the five target municipalities with mobility and assertive devices (artificial limbs, wheelchairs, crutches, etc.) and related rehabilitation services.

On her part, the Provincial Government shall organize a Technical Working Group or Task Force HILWAI composed of multi- sectoral representatives that will serve as a local steering and coordinating   body that will conduct periodic review of the progress of the campaign activities and recommend courses of action to meet planned targets.   The committees involved are as follows:   Health; Ways and Means; Training, Advocacy & Community Awareness; Networking and Legworking ; and Information/Publication/Documentation.

The MOA signing was attended by Mr. Luis Sarrosa , Willene Banasing and Ms. Lucilyn Semillano of the Negros Occidental Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc. (NORFI); OIC HILWAI Susan Josephine Regalado ; President of the Association of Disabled Persons (ADP) Antique Chapter Ms. Elena Molina; PIO ADP Ms. Nancy Tejares , Mr. Edward Ello , Ms.Claire Manlongat ; Elmar Villaganas of Handicap International, Vice Mayor Joselito Macabanti of Tobias Fornier ; and PSWDO Mr. Larry Petinglay .   (PIO-Antique/Dottie Rose D. Tinga )