19 PWDs in Sultan Kudarat receive wheelchair from NGO

By Danilo E. Doguiles

Monday 2nd of July 2012

KORONADAL CITY, July 2 (PIA) -- Nineteen persons with disability (PWDs), including nine children, in Sultan Kudarat province were recently given wheelchairs by Mahintana Foundation Inc. (MFI) in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 12.

Information from DOLE 12 said 12 wheelchairs were awarded to beneficiaries in Kalamansig town on June 20.

Christabel Grace Uy of MFI confirmed today, seven more wheelchairs were handed to PWDs in Lambayong town, also in Sultan Kudarat.

“Two hundred wheelchairs have been booked for delivery to beneficiaries in Sultan Kudarat,” Uy said, adding that the remaining 181 will be handed over to beneficiaries once the schedule for a province-wide turn over ceremony is finalized with DOLE 12.

Sonsona explained MFI, a foundation under the auspices of Dolefil Inc., through its Gabay Para sa May Kapansanan Program tapped DOLE 12 via its Tulong Alay sa Taong may Kapanasanan (TULAY) program for the wheelchair distribution in the entire Soccsksargen Region.

Public employment service offices and social welfare offices at the municipal level help DOLE in the identification of the beneficiaries.

MFI also turned over wheelchairs to 116 PWDs in Tupi, South Cotabato June 24 and 51 more in T’boli town on June 26.

Uy disclosed that they have set aside 1,800 wheelchairs for dispersal to PWDs this year. Of these 800 are allocated for South Cotabato.

She however, announced that they have temporarily suspended the turn over of wheelchairs beginning June 27 pending the release of tax exemption permit from the Department of Finance for 900 units already available in their facility in Calumpang, General Santos City.

Affected recipient municipalities include the South Cotabato LGUs of Surallah and Banga (June 27), Lake Sebu (June 29), Koronadal City, (July 3), Sto. Niño and Norala (July 5), and Tantangan (July 10).

Also put on hold are those for distribution in General Santos City (July 12), Sarangani Province (July 17), and Kidapawan City in North Cotabato (July 24).

“Distribution of wheelchairs will resume as soon as we get the needed permit,” Uy added. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)