P54M for wheelchairs of PWDs
By Rose Palacio
Davao City (28 June 2005) -- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has funded some US$975,000 or P 54.6 million Philippine pesos for the
wheelchair project of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Mindanao.
Davao Jubilee Center (DJC) project manager Evelyn Cabigon said the objective is to produce wheelchairs affordable for PWDs.
Gracing the radio forum "ARENA-XI" aired over DXRP Radyo ng Bayan hosted by Josette Olivera of DXRP and Rose Palacio of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Cabigon explained that the wheelchair project for Mindanao is a four-year program aimed at making PWDs more effective and productive sector of the society.
Based on studies, wheelchair is one of the devices most needed by PWDs. Because of the country's lack of capacity to manufacture wheelchairs, DJC entered into a joint venture with the USAID to attend to the increasing demand for wheelchairs needed by PWDs, most of whom cannot afford to buy for their own use, Ms. Cabigon said.
DJC has a production unit manned by eight (
technicians in Sitio Escuela, Catalunan Grande. People can place orders or know more about the project through telephone number 297-1398.
The wheelchairs, which will be made out of local materials, can be custom-made according to the special needs of PWD patients upon the instruction of an ergonomist or occupational therapist.
Other orthopedic wheelchair workshops in Mindanao are located in Cagayan de Oro City in region ten; in Bislig, Caraga region; Cotabato City; Autonomous Region for Mindanao (ARMM); and Zamboanga City in region nine. (PIA-RPalacio)
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