Third Secretary and Vice Consul Candy S. Cypres-Bauzon encourages Filipinos to join the Embassy in its advocacy of promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and of treating them with respect.

ROME 22 July 2019 – In celebration of the 41st National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, the Philippine Embassy in Rome conducted a series of activities to spread awareness on the rights of persons with disabilities and how to promote them.

In a flag-raising ceremony on 22 July 2019, the Embassy’s personnel and clients at the consular section recited the Panunumpa ng Tagapagtaguyod (Loyalty Pledge of an Advocate), where they swore to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities.

Third Secretary and Vice Consul, Candy S. Cypres-Bauzon addressed the public to inform them of the significance of the celebration. She also discussed the Embassy’s programs for persons with disabilities and encouraged the Filipino community to be part of its advocacy by disseminating vital information to fellow Filipinos on these programs.

These include the provision of priority lane to persons with disabilities (PWDs) when rendering consular services and assistance to nationals. The Embassy likewise reaches out to PWDs, especially those who are bed-ridden, by taking passport services to their homes or their hospitals of confinement. The Embassy’s assistance to nationals program also covers medical repatriation and posting of health advisories.

Prior to this, at 5:30 pm (CET) on 19 July 2019, the Embassy rolled out “Health Coaching 2019”, a seminar on wellness and disability prevention and rehabilitation attended by Embassy personnel and its partner agencies.

The seminar featured a life testimony from Ms. Rodelyn Ruales, a registered nurse and a person with disability. She talked about how disability had changed her life and how she was able to overcome the challenges that came with it. Her inspirational talk was coupled by a discussion on how to achieve work-life-balance. There was also a discussion on how to take care of one’s eyes by Ms. Laura Forte, an eye care provider. The wellness activities were all aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle that can lead up to a boost in productivity at work.

Proclamation No. 361 (2000) and Administrative Order No. 35 (2002) mandate the observance of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, which starts on 17 July annually. The celebration culminates on 23 July, which is the birth date of the Philippines’ Sublime Paralytic, Apolinario Mabini.

This year’s theme is “Lokal na Pamahalaan: Kaakibat sa Pagtupad ng Karapatan ng mga Taong may Kapansanan”. END

After sharing her life story as a person with disability, Ms. Rodelyn Ruales provided health and wellness tips for the personnel of the Embassy and its partner agencies in a presentation about work-life-balance.

Ambassador Domingo P. Nolasco explains the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle that in turn, contributes to disability prevention and better productivity at work.

Ms. Laura Forte discusses the common refractive errors and how to take care of one’s eyes, especially in the context of heat waves being experienced across Europe.