WV community-based rehab tackled
Issues and concerns affecting stakeholders along Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) implementation was the focus of discussion of the first CBR Regional Pre-Congress held at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol recently.
The one-day activity was participated in by representatives from the local government units, non-government organizations, Persons with Disabilities’ (PWDs) leaders, academe, media and other concerned agencies from the six provinces of Western Visayas. Also, in attendance were representatives from the provinces of Cebu and Negros Oriental.
Participants were given opportunity to share their experiences during the gathering. They were also briefed on topics that include Disability, the Millennium Development Goal, the United Nations Convention on the Rights for Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the BIWAKO Framework.
Executive Order No. 437 signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo mandates all LGUs to implement the CBR in the Philippines as an approach/strategy to deliver the services that involves the community for the empowerment of PWDs.
Organized by the Regional Committee on Disability Affairs VI (RCDA VI) in coordination with CBM, Association of Disabled Persons of Iloilo, Inc. and Handicap International, the Pre-Congress was also in line with the forthcoming Philippine CBR Congress to be held in Manila on August 25 to 27, 2009.
The national gathering aims to celebrate the gains made by CBR while addressing current challenges in the Philippines and arrive at a common understanding of CBR in the Philippines which is in harmony with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the UNCRPD and the Biwako Framework.
It also intends to promote the adoption of CBR by Local Government Units; set the stage for the organization of the Philippine CBR Network; and announce the hosting of the 2nd Asia Pacific CBR Congress in 2011. (PIA)