Marikina to open help desk, office devoted to PWDs’ needs

The Marikina government is setting up a help desk and an office exclusively for the benefit of persons with disabilities (PWDs) living in the city in an attempt to reach out to these often-overlooked members of society.

The establishment of the help desk at city hall was in line with Resolution No. 13, Series of 2013, which was approved in accordance with the “Magna Carta for Persons with Disability as Amended” or Republic Act No. 9442.

According to the resolution, the desk will be manned by qualified personnel and will serve as an “informational unit” for PWDs.

Mayor Del de Guzman said it would provide the differently-abled with information that would help them “easily access” their destinations.

Aside from the putting up of the help desk which will start operating within the year, the local government is setting up a Persons with Disability Affairs Office to address their concerns.

De Guzman said that right now, each barangay was gathering the names of PWDs which would form part of the city government’s database and help them determine what health services to offer.