Starting Out:
The PWD Antipolo Consumers Cooperative, or PWD Coop, was founded in 2010 by people with disabilities and their families. Many of them were trained in massage therapy. They decided to open a small massage center in Sumulong Park with permission from the Antipolo City Government. Four trained therapists offered their services using simple chairs.
Upper photo: PWD Massage Center at the Gazebo in Sumulong Park started with therapists in casual clothes and using monoblock chairs to service their clients.
Lower photo: Grasshopper massage chairs and scrub suits, given by DOLE, are used by PWD therapists to provide massage services to customers of the Massage Center.
Six years later, PWD Coop received support from the Department of Labor and Employment, which helped them improve their services with better equipment. With more funds, they opened another massage center at the New Antipolo Public Market. A year later, a center opened at the City Mall of Antipolo. Recently, they launched a fourth center in Maylor’s Plaza Building. The original Gazebo Massage Center moved to a new location.
Massage equipment and materials donated by DOLE to PWD Coop.
PWD Coop plans to open more massage centers in Antipolo City and other nearby areas. They’ve also started a training program for people with disabilities, their families, and friends interested in joining their enterprise.
What started as a small effort to earn a living has grown, proving that people with disabilities can be productive citizens with support and encouragement.
Re-starting:
The COVID-19 pandemic hit PWD Coop hard. Lockdowns forced them to close all their massage centers, affecting their income and economic stability. NGOs, a cooperative, clients, and the LGU provided some assistance to help them through this tough time.
When they were allowed to reopen, PWD Coop worked hard to rebuild their clientele. They trained new therapists, improved their services, and upgraded their facilities. However, finding financial support for these improvements was a challenge.
The Cooperative Development Authority recognized their struggles and provided financial assistance due to the pandemic. PWD Coop also became a “Small Koop Kapatid” of Big Koop Kapatid, MORECO, which donated a three-wheel cab to help transport therapists and generate extra income. Additionally, Ayala Multipurpose Cooperative sponsored the renovation of the CMA PWD Massage Center.
The Koop Kapatid Program by the Cooperative Development Authority is a great help for small cooperatives with specific needs. It promotes the principle of cooperation among cooperatives, which means working together to improve services, boost local economies, and address community needs.
Witnessing the ceremony are City of Antipolo Government officials led by Ms. Amalia Engalla of the City Cooperative and livelihood Office and Mr. Frescian O. Canlas of the City Social Welfare and Development Office; together with Ms. Jeramel Valdez, Provincial Cooperative Development Specialist, Rizal Field Office.
