Carmona opens PH’s first fully-integrated PWD resource, residential facility

CARMONA CITY, Cavite (PIA) — The City Government of Carmona opened the country’s first fully integrated resource center and residential care facility for Persons With Disabilities (PWD) as part of its continuous bid towards a more inclusive community.

On July 31, the Kalingyakap Integrated Shelter, Support, and Services for PWDs opened its doors to the public.

A program launched in partnership with the Delos Santos Family Foundation, the Kalingyakap Shelter features PWD-friendly facilities, including classrooms and areas for speech, physical, and occupational therapies.

Having previously been recognized by the United Nations’ Public Service Awards, Mayor Dahlia Loyola noted that the Kalingyakap Integrated Shelter was a ‘dream’ and a product of the support and involvement of stakeholders and community members in their city.

“Ito na po ang katuparan ng ating pangarap, kung saan ang shelter facilities natin ay bubuksan na. Tayo ay naririto hindi lang upang i-celebrate ang blessing, kundi para i-celebrate ang mga totoong nangyayari sa City of Carmona kung saan mayroong inclusive development [where] nobody is left behind. Ito po ay nangyari sa pamamagitan ng strong political will, sustained leadership, at involvement of many stakeholders.”

As the first of its kind, the Kalingyakap Integrated Shelter, Support, and Services and its accompanying programs earned praises from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Secretary Rex Gatchalian lauded the city, which has long been a business-friendly community, for its PWD-centered governance.

“The true mark of a progressive city is how it takes care of its citizens, more so those who are poor, marginalized, and vulnerable. Dito sa Carmona, ipinamalas ng lungsod na hindi lang sila progresibo sa imprastraktura, ease of doing business, at sa iba’t ibang larangan, kundi ipinakikita nila na pati ang kanilang number one agenda sa governance, [which] is taking care of People With Disabilities.”

Gatchalian noted that the Kalingyakap Shelter is the first facility of its kind in the country, focusing on helping PWDs adapt to society by offering various livelihood packages and psychosocial support.

“The innovation of this Center lies not in the structure itself, kundi doon sa community-based programs na fully integrated. Most of the Learning and Resource Centers sa buong Pilipinas normally ang point of view is always as an education facility.”

Gatchalian added, “[But] Carmona took it a bit further and looked at it as part of the community–complete package of services na kasama ang livelihood, involvement ng mga magulang, [at] kasama pagtatala ng People with Disabilities sa community, and I think this is the only type of it [integrated shelter facility] right now.”

Currently, the Kalingyakap program caters to 368 PWD learners, including college students, in partnership with the Cavite State University (CvSU). The Shelter is also caring for neglected and abandoned PWDs, and can accommodate up to 20 male and female residents. (PB-PIA CALABARZON)