PCDA draws organizational action plan

PCDA draws organizational action plan

The Provincial Council on Disability Affairs (PCDA) of the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya (PGNV), established by virtue of Executive Order No. 141 issued by Governor Carlos M. Padilla on April 27, 2022, convened on August 16, 2022 to finalize its proposed action plan that will be implemented during the remainder of the current year.

Governor Padilla, who chairs the newly created PCDA, facilitated the meeting alongside PSWD Officer Flordelina C. Granada and PDAD Chief Venus R. Cadabona.

At the outset, the participating members and guests were apprised of the salient provisions of the said EO, including the general mandate of the PCDA, i.e., “To be the arm of the PGNV in policymaking, planning, monitoring, coordinating, and advocating for the prevention of the causes of disability, rehabilitation and equalization of the opportunities in the concept of rights-based society for persons with disabilities, and lead the implementation of corresponding programs, projects, and activities”, and the composition, functions, and responsibilities of the Council per se, as well as its adjunct Technical Working Group and Secretariat.

Governor Padilla stressed the need to comply with the government requirements on the sourcing of funds for the Council’s programs, projects, and activities (PPAs), and to properly delineate the partnership between the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and the Persons with Disability Affairs Division (PDAD).

The Council considered the suggestions to have a further review of the EO provisions, especially in regard to broader participation among members of the society in terms of advocacy and interventions, and the dual roles of the Kapisanan ng mga may Kapansanan ng Nueva Vizcaya, Inc., as a Council member and a beneficiary umbrella organization of PWDs of the province. Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Voltaire B. Garcia said that his office will take care of this.

Board Member Eunice G. Gambol, Chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s Committee on Elderly, Persons with Special Abilities, and Social Welfare, also moved for the adoption of an alternative sequence of the implementation timeframe for the ensuing planned activities that will be undertaken by the PCDA, rationalizing that the same will help optimize the participation of its members, including those of its TWG, and Secretariat.

As unanimously agreed: (a) quarterly meetings shall be held to thresh out issues and concerns for more efficient implementation of PPAs for all Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the province; (b) All PCDA members will be oriented on relevant laws and policies pertaining to PWDs during the 3rd quarter; and (c) a planning-workshop will be conducted during the 4th quarter purposely to capacitate the members of the PCDA, TWG, and Secretariat on planning, and to craft a three-year sectoral plan.