Bataan boosts ties with religious group to help PWDs

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – In a bid to extend more assistance to persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the province, Governor Albert Garcia forged stronger ties with high officials of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bataan Tourism Center last Monday.

As chair of the Provincial Council on Disability Affairs (PCDA), Garcia met with Brother Steve Peterson who is the executive director of LDS Charities, the international community support arm of LDS Church that helps PWDs and other marginalized sectors across the globe.

LDS Charities has provided a myriad of support for PWDs in Bataan through giving free mobility devices such as wheelchairs, quad canes, walkers and white canes among others.

Garcia said the provincial government is very happy to be one with this partnership that is benefiting smaller sectors which are vital in achieving the province’s vision of attaining a high human development index in the country.

“Aside from sustainability, we want our growth and development to be inclusive. That is why programs like these are very important to make sure no one is left behind, that differently abled Bataeños, the persons with disabilities, will be part of the development,” said Garcia.

Bataan has done a tremendous job in upholding the rights of PWDs that coordination between LDS and the LGU was made easy, said Peterson who travelled from their headquarters at Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. “I am so very impressed by what you’re doing. We believe that it’s not only an opportunity to help people in need but it is a sacred duty. The way we love our neighbors is to help,” he said.

In a video presentation, PCDA showed its accomplishments in reaching out to thousands of PWDs through providing mobility and assistive devices, skills trainings, enhancement of employment opportunities, general assemblies, and improvement of physical environment among many others.

All these are through the support of the provincial government of Bataan, LDS Charities, and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office headed by Marilyn Tigas and assisted by PWD focal person May Ferma.