A survey made in the province of Nueva Vizcaya five years ago found that 5,000 persons with disability were uneducated, jobless, and poor. Moreover, most of them did not have access to basic social services, suffered from poor health, and isolated themselves from other people. Almost all were below the poverty threshold, each earning only Php800 a month.

      In response to this, the provincial government initiated a program for the disabled by organizing them into a provincial federation. The program aims to actively engage the disabled in livelihood projects and local development. True to its vision, the federation now runs several businesses. It owns a canteen at the provincial capitol compound, runs a massage parlor, serves as dressmakers and tailors, rents out boats and biking facilities. The disabled also grows tilapia fingerlings in a lagoon, which they can either sell or cook. Additionally, by virtue of its accreditation with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the federation can now fight for its share of the province’s 20% Countrywide Development Fund, along with the other sectors.

      Because of this program, the lives of more than 2,000 disabled individuals have improved. More importantly, the disabled are no longer labeled as mendicants of society because they are now empowered with skills and confidence. They not only gained society’s respect but that of their own as well.

      A small economic revolution is happening in the province of Nueva Vizcaya, waged by people society once shunned and marginalized.

      More than 2,000 people have already benefited from a program the provincial government initiated to empower the physically disabled with skills and confidence.

      Five years ago, a survey found at least 5,000 persons with disability in the province were uneducated, jobless and poor. Most did not have access to basic social services, suffered from poor health, and kept themselves away from others. Almost all were below the poverty threshold, each earning only P800 a month.

      The provincial government organized them into a provincial federation. It believed that even persons with disability could succeed in livelihood projects and participate actively in local development.
With the aid of various government agencies, persons with disability have gained back their own self-respect and that of society.

      By virtue of its accreditation with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the federation can now fight for its share of the province’s 20% Countrywide Development Fund, along with other sectors.

      Disabled people are no longer mendicants at the fringes of society. They now own a canteen at the provincial capitol compound, run a massage parlor, serve as dressmakers/tailors, and lease out boats and biking facilities. They even seed the lagoon with tilapia fingerlings that they can sell or cook.
While the program needs to reach more persons with disability, the federation’s initial success has improved the lives of its members.