“Kailangan nating ipagpatuloy ang Centers and Residential Care Facilities (CRCF) projects upang mas lalo nating mabigyan ng kalidad na serbisyo ang ating mga constituents na sinisilbihan, lalong lalo na ang mga persons with disabilities (We need to continue the CRCF projects to give quality service to our constituents more importantly to the persons with disabilities),” said by Ms. Elizabeth C. Manuel, Center Head of Area I Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC I).

Since the construction of new facilities in AVRC, the service quality has improved according to one of the clients. The construction of Disability Resource and Development Center is already complete while the Multi-Purpose Covered Court with comprehensive facilities and equipment is still ongoing and aimed to be accomplished until the end of the year.

Some of the facilities that were rehabilitated are the covered path walk, sewage tank, and drainage system as well as the Training Center Superintendent’s Office. Minor repairs and replacement for the betterment of the AVRC I services such as the replacement of doors, 18 sets of comfort rooms, 11 sets of toilet bowls, repair of faucet in the canteen, installation of canopy at the front of the building, among others, were also completed.

“Bilang staff ng AVRC I at ng DSWD, nagagalak akong sabihin na na-improve ang serbisyo ng ating Kagawaran dahil sa tulong ng CRCF (As a staff of DSWD-AVRC I, I am grateful to say that the service of the Center has improved because of the help of CRCF),” shared by Amor Marie Nicdao, a visually-impaired massage instructor of the Center who has been serving for 24 years.

Not only the clients of the Institution had benefitted from the CRCF projects but also individuals seeking employment. The CRCF funds also include the hiring of additional staff for the Centers and Institution.

According to Daniel Patoc, Social Welfare Officer II, he was fortunate to be given the chance to work with DSWD under CRCF. “Bilang isang social worker, mapalad ako siyempre nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na magtrabaho sa DSWD, particularly under ng CRCF. Iyong mga natutunan ko ay na-apply ko at nakatulong sa akin lalo na at isa akong pamilyadong tao (As a social worker, I am fortunate to be given an opportunity to work in DSWD particularly under CRCF. I have applied all of my learnings and helped me, most especially that I am a family man).” He also added that the CRCF projects have been a great help to AVRC I clients where the quality of service became more effective.

Moreover, 42 sets of CCTVs and three monitors are installed at AVRC I now. There was also an ambulance provided for the Center to cater the AVRC clients’ need and emergencies.

DSWD FO 1 CRCF Engineer 1, Ms. Kathrina B. Valdez said, “As CRCF Engineers, we designinfrastracture projects based on the needs and rights of the DSWD FO 1 clients / residents. The goal of every project is to provide therapeutic, protective, comfortable, efficient, and safe environment in the Center.” She added, “To ensure the effectiveness of all projects, we conduct closed monitoring and regular inspection during the implementation and provide services for the maintenance of the facilities.”

AVRC provides program and services for persons with disability to achieve highest level of physical, mental, social and economic self-sufficiency through which they become capable within the bounds of their capacity and limitations to lead useful and productive community lives. Thus, the facilities have an immense role to reach the Center’s objectives. (by: Jenny Andres, Information Officer I/Social Marketing Unit)