The City Government of Davao turned over 580 wheelchairs to the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) on Wednesday to help Dabawenyo persons with disabilities (PWDs) maintain their mobility and independence.
The wheelchairs, which were donated by the People’s Republic of China as a gesture of care, respect, and friendship, will be distributed to identified beneficiaries through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), in coordination with the PDAO.
“Though these wheelchairs are small gestures, they carry great good will. They represent the warm wishes of the Chinese people to our friends in Davao,” Zhao Xiuzhen, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Davao City, said.
“We hope that through these wheelchairs we can help some elderly and disabled friends step out of their homes, enjoy the sunshine, interact with their neighbors, and lead a more fulfilling life,” she added.
Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte extended the city government’s gratitude to China for its continued support, from large-scale infrastructure and groundwork initiatives to various forms of assistance that have benefited thousands of Dabawenyos.
“On behalf of the City Government of Davao and the beneficiaries, daghang salamat. Thank you for sharing our commitment to advocating for the rights and welfare of our Dabawenyo PWDs as valued community members who deserve equitable treatment and equal opportunities,” he said.
Addressing the wheelchair beneficiaries, Zhao emphasized the Chinese government’s belief that “true progress of a society depends on how it treats its most vulnerable members,” while also highlighting shared values of kindness, compassion, and mutual assistance with the Philippines.
“I would like to say to the elderly and the people with disabilities who will soon receive these wheelchairs. You have not been forgotten. Your needs matter. Your well-being matters. We stand with you,” she added .
“To our beneficiaries, nanghinaot kami nga ang gihatag kaninyo nga wheelchairs makatabang aron mahimong hapsay, kumportable ug malinawon ang inyong adlaw-adlaw nga kinabuhi. Kami magpadayon sa paghatag og mas maayo nga serbisyo alang kaninyong tanan karon ug sa umaabot pa nga mga tuig (We hope that these wheelchairs will help make your daily lives smoother, more comfortable, and more peaceful. We will continue to provide better services to all of you now and in the years to come),” Duterte also said.
He assured the city’s PWD sector that the local government will look into increasing the financial assistance provided to Dabawenyo PWDs.
“Kung padayon nga muasenso ang atoang gobyerno, maayo ang collection sa mga buwis, hinay-hinay kada tuig kung pila’y kaya nato’ng idungag dungagan ta na taga tuig aron mas muginhawa ang inyong mga kinabuhi pag abot sa pinansyal ninyo nga mga problema (If our government continues to thrive and taxes are collected efficiently, we will slowly increase the assistance for the PWDs to help alleviate your financial burdens),” Duterte said.
“Depende man na sa city budget ug City Treasurer kung unsa’y kwarta nga naa ta pero kung kaya patas-an sa pinakataas nga kayang isaka nga angay ana nga tuig pwede nato buhaton ug buhaton ko na para sa inyoha g’yud samtang mayor ko (That depends on the city budget and the City Treasurer — on how much money we have. But if it can be raised to the highest possible amount that is appropriate for that year, we can do it, and I will truly do it for you while I am mayor),” he added.
One of the beneficiaries, Rolando Permangil, a 51-year-old dialysis patient, expressed his gratitude to the city government and the Chinese government.
“Pasalamat gyud ko unang una sa Ginoo kay dugay na nako’ng gihandom ni nga makawheelchair gyud ko kay kini lagi’ng naapektahan ang akoang mata ug tiil tungod sa dialysis. Pasalamat g’yud ko sa gobyerno nga naghatag sa amoa labi na sa China nga ang Davao mao’y napilian nila paghatag sa amoa (I am truly thankful first and foremost to God, because I have long wished for this — to finally have a wheelchair, since my eyes and feet have been affected due to dialysis. I am also very grateful to the government that provided for us, especially to China, because Davao was the one they chose to give to us),” he said.
“Kami’ng mga PWD dako kaayo’ng amoang pasalamat g’yud nga natagaan mi ani’ng opportunity (We persons with disabilities (PWDs) are very, very thankful that we were given this opportunity),” he added. CIO
Written by: J. Villaluz
Edited by: A. Nawal
Photo by: E. Morata