“Madunggan ka lang, unsay problema? Being heard, what’s the problem?” is already a big deal for people with disabilities (PWD).

Maria Liza G. Corpuz, PWD affairs officer in Cagayan de Oro City, shared that all they need is empathy.

“Always put yourself in other people’s shoes, and kindness does not hurt. It will not hurt. And it won’t cost you a thing. Whatever you do to the least of your brethren, you do it unto God,” Corpuz said.

As the city holds its 5th Search for the Most PWD-Friendly Barangay, Liza is hopeful that in the coming years, more and more barangays will join and acknowledge that no matter the situation or circumstance, PWDs are present and they exist.

“Naa man gyud ang kamatuoran nga naa man gyud ang PWD bisan asa. From womb to tomb, from all walks of life, present man gyud siya, from professionals to beggars ang PWDs [The truth is that PWDs can be seen everywhere. From womb to tomb, from all walks of life, they are present, from professionals to beggars, the PWDs],” she said.

Barangay 14 Kagawad Rodel Roluna shared that they prioritize their (PWDs) needs, such as certifications and legal documents, free of charge or at least a special discount.

“It is true that they (PWDs) are shy to approach the barangay; that is why in the years that we have joined the search for the most PWD-friendly barangay, we have widened our understanding to empower the sector, and at the same time, the sector has become open to us,” said the barangay official.

“The perception of PWDs has always been pitiful. But if we see deeper, they have a big role in the development of the community,” shared Roluna.

Meanwhile, Barangay Camaman-an Kagawad Carl Harrison D. Galarrita shared as the committee chair on appropriations, “I always make it to a point that the budget will always be there for the PWDs. If we have the willingness, eagerness, and putting ourselves in their shoes, we will know what their needs are.”

Barangay Camaman-an is a frontliner in serving the community. “We do not neglect, especially those sectors that need our help, especially the vulnerable sectors,” he said.

Further, Kagawad Maria Lorna Chan Namoc, Camaman-an, shared that usually the PWDs have self-pity.

“Amo gyud sila i-counseling, i-encourage, lahi man gud ang naay kapansanan o wala kay murag close-minded sila bah, so among gibuhat, amo gyud sila i-counseling, unsay mga problema, amo gyud siya tagaan og importansya [We really counsel and encourage them; it’s different when you have a disability or not because they become close-minded, so what we did was provide counseling; whatever the problem, we give them importance],” she said.

Liza added that, as a person with a disability, she knows that life before was so difficult compared to now. Thus, she can say that the PWDs are now very lucky because there are advocacies. Unlike before, where discrimination was intense,

Liza shared that there are people and agencies that really support PWDs.

The barangay can do a lot of things, she said. (JMOR/PIA-10)