1ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED PERSONS HELD

The Local Government of Gerona held a general assembly for disabled person at the Gerona North Elementary School on July 21, 2008.

The assembly was a project of the Gerona Office for Differently Abled Person (GODAP) headed by Joel N. San Pascual.

Mayor Dennis Norman Tañedo Go, together with other municipal officials, attended the event.

Mayor Go delivered his message for the beneficiaries of this project.

There were listed 274 differently-abled persons who registered to avail of the benefits.

Basis

An Act amending Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, and For Other Purposes,” granted additional privileges and incentives for DAPs.

It also prohibited verbal and non-verbal ridicule and vilification against them.

It directed national and local government agencies to implement programs and services to ensure the full participation of DAP’s in all aspect of community life.

First Assembly

The Local Government Unit of Gerona conducted a general assembly for disabled persons in July 2008. The information regarding this event was disseminated to all barangay captains of this municipality. Almost of the total number of barangays participated in this event. As a matter of fact, the organizers of this event were expecting only 100 to 150 persons to register. But they exceeded up to 274 persons based on the list given to the organizers.

Qualified as DAPs are persons suffering from restriction or different abilities as a result of a mental, physical or sensory impairment, to perform an activity in a manner or within the range considered normal for human being.

Disability means (1) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more psychological, physiological, or anatomical function of an individual or activities of such individual; (2) a record of such an impairment; or (3) being regarding as having such impairment. (R.A. No. 7277, Rule III, Section 5.1)