The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Field Office (DSWD-XII), spearheads the graduation ceremony of 24 Bangsamoro persons with disabilities (PWDs) at the Center for the Handicapped on November 30, 2023. (Photo Courtesy of MSSD)
COTABATO CITY—A total of 24 Bangsamoro persons with disabilities (PWDs) graduated on Nov. 30 after completing ‘costless’ skills training courses during the 32nd Commencement and Recognition ceremonies of the PWDs at the Center for the Handicapped in this city.
The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) organized the activity in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Field Office (DSWD-XII).
MSSD Minister Atty. Raissa Jajurie, represented by Chief of Staff Lyca Sarenas, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to making significant programs, services, and assistance available for the PWDs, aligned with Republic Act No. 11054, otherwise known as the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
“Despite the big responsibility of running the Center for the Handicapped, MSSD is ready to continue what DSWD-XII has started at the center,” Jajurie emphasized.
Among the courses offered were basic massage therapy, computer literacy, basic cooking, functional literacy level VI, and social preparatory courses. Likewise, the graduates received proficiency certificates and medals after the program.
Through these skills training, the Center for the Handicapped seeks to advance PWDs’ self-reliance as vital citizens of the country by offering its beneficiaries vocational and social rehabilitation.
On Nov. 3, the DSWD-XII successfully turned over the care facility to the MSSD, aiming to enhance and lay the groundwork for unlocking the full potential of PWDs in the BARMM.
During the turnover ceremony, Minister Jajurie also stressed, “We can now ensure that the Bangsamoro Government has the facility and capacity to execute its mandate of providing opportunities for PWDs to contribute to the community just as capable, if not more so, as those who are not categorized as such.”
The DSWD-XII is expected to assist the MSSD throughout the transition process until Dec. 31.
Establishing care facilities for the self-sustaining and inclusive development of the Bangsamoro PWDs is aligned with the 12th priority agenda of Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
