The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) conducted a Webinar on Empowering the PWDs and the Elderlies in Cooperatives Through Information last November 23, 2022 with 480 plus online attendees via Zoom. This activity was held in attesting CDA’s firm belief on the vital role of the persons with disabilities (PWDs) and the senior citizens in primarily guiding the populace to a much righteous track.
Welcoming all the virtual participants and partner agencies, Mr. Ray R. Elevazo, Deputy Administrator of CDA, Institutional Development Services (IDS), stated that CDA is committed to promote the advocacy of and collaboration between different stakeholders, the PWDs and the senior citizens to ensure the effective implementation of relevant programs and services.
Usec. Joseph B. Encabo, CDA Chairman, reinforced the welcome remarks and wishes everyone in the webinar good health as he delivered his message. The Chairman emphasized that “We, at the CDA, have this kind of webinar in order to implement its development initiatives and steps in ensuring a supportive and enabling environment for the vulnerable sectors of the Filipino society, especially those involved in cooperative affairs that includes PWDs and senior citizens.”
After the Chairman’s speech, Ms. Fatima A. Garon, Project Evaluation Officer I of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) presented the basic information about NCDA including their mandate as an agency in-charge of formulating policies and coordinating the activities of all agencies concerning disability issues and concerns, whether public or private. She also told the virtual attendees on the NCDA’s projects based on the policy categories mentioned in the report in collaboration with both the government and the private entities.
The second speaker was Mr. Cesar Y. Yamuta, Executive Assistant III of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC). In his presentation, Mr. Yamuta explained how NCSC promotes the advocacy of and collaborates between different stakeholders and senior citizens (SCs) to ensure effective implementation of various programs and services, particularly on the development of senior citizens (SCs) and advancing their health, and well-being, and ensuring a supportive and enabling environment for the said sector they are mandated to look after. Included in his presentation are some information about their programs such as Participation, Communication, and Education (PACE) and Inter-Agency Coordination of Social Pension, Centenarian Benefits, Support to Disabled (INACCORD) focusing also on the indigent SCs.
Ms. Charito P. Zorilla, OSCA External Affairs Division Head, represented Atty. Bayani V. Hipol, OIC of the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs-Quezon City (OSCA QC) during the online session. She laid down the Quezon City’s programs and projects for elderly citizens residing in the City in the development, implementation, and monitoring of yearly work programs in pursuance of the objectives of Republic Act No. 9994, also known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.”
She also underscored Mayor Joy Belmonte’s priorities in order to motivate, encourage, and give maximum support for Senior Citizens by granting and providing them optimum and special privileges in Quezon City.
Meanwhile, CDA’s initiatives including the Koop-Kapatid Program and CDA Global Project thru Co-opBiz was covered by Chief Melissa C. Santos of CDA Cooperative Project Development and Assistance Division (CPDAD).
Questions were entertained by the resource speakers during the open forum, then Chief MC Santos closed the webinar addressing the invited Offices with full appreciation on behalf of CDA. She further extended her thanks to the online attendees wrapping the purpose of online activity for the PWDs and the senior citizens, especially in the cooperative sector, for them to become aware of their rights and privileges and for them to know the programs of the government for their well-being.
-CPDAD
