17 July 2017, Dubai, U.A.E. The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai celebrated the 39th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week today at the Consulate’s Rizal Hall with the officials and staff of POLO-OWWA, Department of Agriculture and Department of Trade and Industry.

Joining the Consulate's and attached agencies' personnel were some 50 applicants who participated in the short program which included the singing of the National Anthem, reciting the Loyalty Pledge of an Advocate, reading of DSWD Secretary Taguiwalo’s Message, and viewing of the NCDA’s 9-minute video “Inclusion”.

his inspirational message, Consul General Paul Raymund P. Cortes reminded the public not to treat the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) as “different and unable to contribute to society”. He also stressed that PWDs also have capabilities which is at par or even better than an “able” person has. He called for an end to the namecalling of PWDs and encouraged everyone to suspend judgement of a person's merits based on physical disability. END