The Autism Society Philippines (ASP) is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to the well-being of persons on the autism spectrum disorder. We envision a society where Filipinos on the spectrum become the best of their potentials -- self-reliant, independent, productive, socially-accepted citizens of an Autism-OK Philippines.

03 February 2011

Carmona - A Model PWD Program

By: Ranil Sorongon, ASP Executive Director


“It takes political will and a genuine love and service for children/persons with disabilities that propel us to make these happen” said the Mayor Dahlia Loyola upon her welcome to the busload of Manila visitors.
Carmona Mayor Dahlia Loyola

The Municipality of Carmona (Region IV-A or CALABRZON) won the Apolinario Mabini Award for Local Government Unit of the Year in 2008 and the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Awardee in 2009.

ASP organized a Community Based Rehabilitation or CBR Visit to Carmona last January 18, 2011, as part of the 15th Autism Consciousness Week Program. The visit was followed after the trip to Laguna’s Autism Resource Center. Click here to read the previous visit.
Participants on CBR Visit

Ms. Rosebelle Mercurio, head of the PWD Coordinating Office and her staff; led the visitors to the conference room to watch a video clip of Carmona. Mayor Loyola started the PWD Program together with her husband, now Congressman Roy Loyola. Carmona is the first municipality with a data base on the number of PWDs and boasts of a comprehensive continuing program for them.

“PWDs deserve these services and we will do our best to provide,” said the mayor, while turning over her cash donation of P10, 000.00 to ASP as part of her support to the ASP’s Advocacy Programs. ASP National President, Ms. Grace Adviento, received the donation in behalf of ASP. Click here to read more about Carmona.

The group was then toured around the PWD Coordinating Office and continues to provide programs through their Special Education Classrooms and Vocational Training Facilities, with a hefty budget provided for and personnel allocated for persons with disabilities by the municipality.
The delegates visited the PWD Coordinating Office of Carmona, Cavite

Following the visit, ASP Carmona Chapter officers, headed by Ms. Rosalyn Dasco, were officially inducted by the honorable mayor. They were jointly supported by the busload of visitors came from the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), Department of Education (DepEd, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Norfil Foundation, Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Committee on Social Services, House of Representatives, Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), ASP Commonwealth Chapter, City of Mandaluyong and the Archdiocese of Manila-Person with Disability Ministry (AMO-PDM).
Carmona Chapter Officers headed by Ms. Rosalyn Dasco inducted by Hon. Dahlia Loyola

Indeed even in the rural areas accessible and quality services can be made available as proven by ASP Laguna Chapter and the Municipality of Carmona. It’s a RIGHT of every PWD that the government MUST PROVIDE as signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD)!

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