Photo courtesy of Annabel Consuelo J. Ptinglay/PNA
The Antique Provincial Board approved a municipal ordinance aimed at strengthening livelihood opportunities for persons with disability in San Jose de Buenavista.
The measure was endorsed during the board’s regular session on Monday, giving formal backing to the town’s initiative.
The ordinance seeks to promote equal access to employment, skills development and participation in community life, in line with Republic Act 7277 or the Magna Carta for PWD.
Under the program, government agencies will provide training and capacity-building activities to help beneficiaries gain employment or start income-generating projects.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) were identified as key partners in delivering skills training and livelihood support.
Implementation will be led by the local government through its disability affairs office, which will link beneficiaries with potential employers based on their abilities.
A member of the provincial board said the initiative is expected to improve the skills and productivity of PWDs in the municipality.
Officials estimated that more than 2,000 individuals in San Jose de Buenavista could benefit from the ordinance once fully implemented.