By: Henry Salac

(Daily Zamboanga Times, Mar. 31, 2014)

The Department of Social Welfare and Development regional office joins the observance of the 9th Women with Disabilities Day today, March 31 in line with Proclamation 744.

The proclamation declares the last Monday of March of every year “Women with Disabilities Day.” The theme of this year’s celebration “Isulong: Pantay na Karapatan Para Kay Juanang May Kapansanan!”

Women with Disabilities Day espouses the importance of ensuring respect for women PWDs’ inherent dignity, full and effective participation and inclusion in society and equality between them and men.

The DSWD in partnership with different government agencies and non-government organizations as well as the local government units all over the country are expected to conduct activities in line with the observance.

Region 9 has its midst an active Woman with Disability in a person of Ms. PILAR VILLASIS TAHIL, who was born deaf on October 13, 1947. In the 1980’s she realized that her disability is not be a hindrance to success and started advocates for the empowerment of women persons with disabilities. Because of this, she was recognized for her exemplary service dedication to her works various National and Local Organizations to include the Peace Advocates of Zamboanga (PAZ).

Since 2002, Ms. Tahil is the National Anti-Poverty (NAPC) Regional PWD Sectoral Representative.

Mr. Teddy M. Kahil head of the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Unit (PDAU) at the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) said Ms. Tahil deserves recognition under the proposed amendatory ordinance of City Ordinance 354, series 2009 which is still pending in the City Council.