The City Government of Iriga gathered around 200 persons with disabilities (PWDs), their caregivers and family members from disaster-prone barangays, PWD women, and members of the PWD Federation today, July 29, for “Ligtas na PWD Handa sa Sakuna 2026,” the culminating activity of the 48th National Disability Rights Week, held at the Iriga City Sports Center under the theme “Rights First, Legislation Forward: Strategic Action for Equal Participation and Inclusive Development.”
The program opened with a welcome address from Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) head Lilibeth D. Panga. She shared that, as part of this year’s NDRW celebration, PDAO conducted a house-to-house outreach that reached a total of 33 bedridden PWDs with Cerebral Palsy and other physical disabilities across the city’s barangays. She also noted that the visits, conducted in partnership with the City Health Office (CHO), revealed how many PWDs face heightened vulnerability during typhoons, floods, earthquakes, and other calamities, prompting today’s collaboration with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
Councilor JM A. Grimaldo also gave a message in support of the activity, followed by an inspirational message from Vice Mayor Edsel S. Dimaiwat, with Mayor Rex C. Oliva likewise addressing the participants to express his support for the initiative.
Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Jasmin B. Botor led a discussion on disaster preparedness tailored for PWDs, equipping participants with knowledge on how to protect themselves, their families, and their communities during emergencies. Under her leadership, Ivy B. Magistrado and Loraine A. Martinez discussed Disaster Preparedness, while Christy G. Din and Adrian Leroi A. Andalis led a session on CPR and Basic Life Support, together covering practical steps PWDs and their caregivers can take before, during, and after a disaster and giving participants hands-on knowledge they can use to respond to emergencies affecting themselves or the people around them. Ms. Botor also thanked PDAO for organizing the activity and for extending the invitation to PWDs, ensuring their voices and safety are part of the city’s disaster preparedness efforts.
This builds on Mayor Rex’s message during the kickoff of National Disaster Resilience Month last July 6, where he shared that the city’s disaster preparedness programs now extend to empowering vulnerable groups, including women and senior citizens, with persons with disabilities set to be included moving forward, adding that disaster preparedness is not just a government program, but a shared commitment among all Irigueños.
Through initiatives like this, the City Government of Iriga ensures that persons with disabilities are not left out of disaster preparedness efforts, giving them the same chance as every Irigueño to stay safe, informed, and ready when calamity strikes.
Source: Lungsod Ng Iriga