• Chrissy G. Samirano
A resolution calling for the participation of all government departments, educational institutions, 61 barangays and all residents of Bacolod City in the celebration of the National Disability Rights Week, which will be held from July 17 to 23, was approved by the Bacolod City Council on Monday.
The resolution, drafted by Councillor Simplicia District, stated that on June 13, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued Proclamation No. 597, “Declaring July 17 to 23 of each year as National Disability Rights Week.”
The proclamation repealed Proclamation No. 1870 of 1979, which declared the third week of July every year as National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week, and Proclamation No. 362 of 2000, which declared July 23 every year as the culmination of NDPR Week in commemoration of the birthday of the Venerable Paralytic Apolinario Mabini, it said.
The abolition was made to align the ceremony with the objectives of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and to promote a rights-based approach to the ceremony (referred to in the resolution as Declaration No. 597).
Despite these appeals, the purpose of the celebration remains a time to raise public awareness of disability issues, encourage individuals to take active responsibility for improving the economic and social situation of disabled people in society, and highlight the country’s efforts towards the prevention and rehabilitation of disabilities, the document said.