Infanta to hold first Disability Expo for PWDs

By Nimfa Estrellado-Laurino The Persons with Disability Affairs Office and partner agencies finalize preparations for Infanta's first Di...

By Nimfa Estrellado-Laurino

The Persons with Disability Affairs Office and partner agencies finalize preparations for Infanta's first Disability Expo on July 15–16. (Infanta LGU)

INFANTA, Quezon - Service booths, consultation tables and learning spaces will fill the venue when Infanta stages its first Disability Expo later this month. The municipality will hold the two-day event on July 15 and 16, bringing together persons with disabilities (PWDs), their families and government agencies in one venue.

The Disability Expo will combine frontline assistance with livelihood opportunities, learning sessions and rights-based programs for participants. Forums will cover disability rights, disaster preparedness, employment, livelihood and youth leadership throughout the two-day gathering.



Medical and social services will take center stage alongside the learning sessions throughout the event. Qualified beneficiaries will receive free medical consultations, hearing assessments and assistive devices during the two-day activity.

Several government agencies will establish service booths throughout the venue to serve participants during the scheduled activities. PhilHealth, the Local Civil Registry Office and the Office of the Municipal Agriculture will provide consultations, program information and frontline government services.

The municipality will also launch the PDAO App during the Disability Expo, adding a digital service component to the two-day program. Registered beneficiaries will be able to receive announcements, access service information and keep track of future PDAO activities through the application.

The Disability Expo forms part of the Lingap Agenda of Mayor Lord Arnel Ruanto, which promotes inclusive governance and accessible public services. The program also expands the municipality's continuing support for persons with disabilities through coordinated local services.

The Persons with Disability Affairs Office, headed by Liezl Pilotin, is coordinating preparations with municipal offices and community partners for the two-day gathering. Participating agencies are completing service booths, learning sessions, logistical arrangements and venue preparations before opening day.

Pilotin said the Disability Expo was organized to bring municipal services closer to persons with disabilities across Infanta. She said the event will also connect participants with livelihood opportunities, learning sessions and government assistance in one venue.

"Layunin ng Disability Expo na mailapit sa ating mga kababayang may kapansanan ang mga serbisyong kailangan nila at mabigyan sila ng pagkakataong matuto, makilahok, at mapaunlad ang kanilang kabuhayan. Nais naming maramdaman nila na mahalagang bahagi sila ng ating komunidad."

Pilotin said the municipality plans to continue serving the disability sector after the Disability Expo concludes. She said the PDAO will continue working with partner agencies to expand programs, improve service delivery and widen access to assistance across Infanta.

"Hindi lamang ito isang programa kundi isang hakbang tungo sa mas inklusibong Infanta. Patuloy naming isusulong ang mga proyektong nagbibigay ng pantay na pagkakataon at mas magandang kalidad ng buhay para sa bawat person with disability."

The Disability Expo comes as public attention continues to focus on disability inclusion following online content criticized for mocking persons with disabilities. The National Council on Disability Affairs reminded the public that the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability prohibits acts that ridicule or discriminate against persons with disabilities through any form of media.

The expo will conclude on July 16, but the municipality has already planned additional activities for persons with disabilities in the coming months. The rollout of the PDAO App and follow-up programs will continue after the event as part of the municipality's long-term support for the disability sector.