The Regional Committee on Disability Affairs (RCDA) aims to feature in a journal the life changing stories of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) who are benefitting from welfare services availed from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and its partner agencies.

DSWD Field Office 1 Regional Director and RCDA Chairperson Marcelo Nicomedes J. Castillo initiated the idea of collecting PWD inspiring stories in the region and encouraged each member agency to write and share good practices in extending welfare services to PWDs.

According to Director Castillo, the journal will serve as a means to promote and advocate programs and services, activities,  ordinances/policies, and other vital information concerning PWD Sector especially in far-flung areas.

The RCDA agreed upon that the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region 1 and DSWD Field Office 1 will collect stories/good practices/interventions to PWDs from each member agency for scrutiny and layout, ready for launching in December 2016.

The RCDA is committed to pursue a responsive community environment for PWDs, to improve stakeholders’ capacity to respond to the needs of the PWDs, scale up opportunities of the sector in all aspects of human life, and monitor implementation of laws, policies, plans, programs, activities, and projects for PWDs.

The RCDA is composed of DSWD, Department of Health, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation and Communication or attached agencies, Commission on Human Rights, PIA, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, National Economic and Development Authority,  Department of Budget and Management, Non-Government Agencies with PWD Programs, 2 PWDs representing legitimate PWD Organizations, 2 representatives from Civic Groups and Cause-oriented Organizations with PWD Programs, and representatives from Local Government Units from Provincial and City Levels. (by: Jaesem Ryan A. Gaces, Information Officer II/ Pantawid Pamilya)