The Department of Social Welfare and Development through the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) invited MCCID College to witness the Ceremonial Ground Breaking of Model Disability Resource and Development Center (DRDC) last February 24.
MCCID President Remberto Esposa together with Student-Leaders’ Elizer Famadico Jr. and Hans Danielle Vidal attended the momentous event. They were the only representatives from the Deaf sector. The students also taught basic sign language to the guests which was assisted by NCDA Chief Nelia De Jesus who also serves as the emcee.
The 6-storey building which will be put up at NCDA compound in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will house livelihood training rooms, hostel, library and accessible technology equipment.
The DRDC will serve as the hub for information, program and policy development, capacity building, and networking for all persons with disabilities (PWDs). It will also provide PWD skills training, as well as, display crafts made by PWDs. It will also showcase customized assistive devices such as wheelchairs that will help PWDs for easier mobility.
Aside from skills training, the DRDC will include a library and a computer center where PWDs can search for education and employment opportunities.
The activity was graced by NCDA Governing Board representatives led by NCDA Executive Director Carmen R. Zubiaga, DSWD Undersecretary Maria Lourdes Turalde-Jarabe, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Assistant Secretary Eugenio Pipo, Jr., Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Deo Marco, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Executive Director for Partnerships and Linkages Director Luz Amponin, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Director Nestor Bengato, DPWH Bureau of Design Director Dante Potante and Quezon City Persons with Disability Affairs Office Head Arnold de Guzman.
“The construction of the DRDC will help strengthen employment facilitation for PWDs. We fully support this initiative and we encourage local government units to replicate the center in their own cities and municipalities so that they can help empower their constituents with disabilities and provide more inclusive development programs that are responsive to their needs,” the Secretary added.
