Saturday, December 18, 2010

Seasons Greetings!

Benjamin Bernandino (Jun)

Life Haven Independent Living Center

4013 Gen. T. De Leon, Valenzuela City

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Workshop for Establishment of Personal Assistance Service System

Life Haven Independent Living Center (LHILC) is the first center for Independent Living in the Philippines. The center was established and opened last March 2005. The organization behind it is Life Haven which is guided by the Independent Living Philosophy and the frontrunner of the Independent Living Movement in our country.

Independent Living is a philosophy and a movement of people with disabilities who work for self-determination, equal opportunities and self-respect. Independent Living does not mean that we want to do everything by ourselves and do not need anybody or we want to live in isolation. Independent Living means that we demand the same choices and control in our everyday lives that our non-disabled brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends take for granted. We want to grow up in our families, go to the neighborhood school, use the same bus as our neighbors, work in jobs that are in line with our education and interests, and start families of our own.

We aim to empower persons with disabilities especially those with extensive disabilities.

Our partner, Human Care Association (HCA) was established in 1986 as the first Independent Living (IL) Center for persons with disabilities in Japan. As a Disabled People's Organization (DPO), HCA closely collaborates with the Hachioji City government and provide services such as peer counseling and dispatching of personal assistants to support IL in the community.

Personal Assistance is a key component to ensure the equal participation and dignity of persons with disabilities as mentioned in Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). To provide support for DPOs promoting the Independent Living movement in the Philippines, a training workshop at Bayview Park Hotel was held on October 4-7, 2010 with resource persons from Japan, Korea and Thailand.

This Workshop for Establishment of Personal Assistance Service System was attended by persons with extensive disabilities from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, selected focal persons from various cities and municipalities Social Welfare Offices and focal persons/representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

EVENT GENERAL INFORMATION

What: Workshop for Establishment of Personal Assistance Service System
Date: October 4 (Mon) – 7 (Thu)
Venue: Bayview Park Hotel, Roxas Blvd, Manila
Organizer: Human Care Association. Life Haven, Inc.
Collaborators: Cebu IL Team, HACI de Oro, Nakhonpathom Independent Living Center (Thailand), Seoul Center for Independent Living (Korea) and Spinal Cord Injury Foundation (Philippines)

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Independent Living Orientation Seminar for NCR

LHILC conducted this seminar on September 14, 2010 at Duque Hall, Department of Health Compound, Tayuman, Manila.

The following are the objectives:
1.   To raise awareness about the social model of disability.
2.   To present the concept of personal assistance and personal assistance service system.
3.   To make the focal persons recognize the importance of personal assistance for independent living of persons with extensive disabilities and formulation of policies and programs for it.
The presentors from Life Haven are Abner Manlapaz, Jun Bernandino and May Anne Dao. This seminar was organized in cooperation with KAMPI.

Participants:

1.    Dr. Vera, DOH
2.   Laila M. Guce, Makati Social Welfare Department
3.    Lael Gasco, DSWD-NCR-EGV
4. Joel Paladan P.A.
5.   Micheal Dao P.A.
6.   Jeremiah D. Dicen, CSWDO Las Pinas City
7.   Spock Castillon, LPPWFI
8.   Aron Castillen,
9.   Cristina B. Castaneda, Pasay Social Welfare Deparment
10.                Rommel Torres, Pasay Social Welfare Department
11.                Edna J. Sacedor, DSWD- NCR
12.                Luz Cabauatan, DSWD SSDP-QL
13.                Joanna L. Hizon, DSWD-CO
14.                Arleen B.Cino, MSWDO-Pateros
15.                Ireneo S. SORIANO, Pateros
16.                Romeo Canonoy, Jr., RSW-DSWD
17.                Jeffrey, Reusora, S., PWD-DSW
18.                Ma. Lourdes Basmayer, Mla. Department of Social Welfare
19.                April P. Alianza, DSWD-NCR
20.                Verenesse T. Ballado, DSWD-NCR
21.                Lauro Purcil, Blind, DEPED
22.                Samuel Banares, Jr., P.A.
23.                Helario B. Supaz, ODPA-DSWD, Taguig
24.                Charmaine Joy P. Agrigar, ODPA-DSWS, Taguig
25.                Fle Labanon, NCDA
26.                Charry Famitangco, PWD. San Juan
27.                Glenis Balaque, IBON Foundation
28.                Francis F. Dallano, CSWDO, Marikina City
29.                Ken Lenon M. Sabangan, Polio, CSWDO Valenzuela City
30.                Ma. Kristina R. Jayme, CSWDO Valenzuela City
31.                Joel Marian O. CSWDO, Malabon
32.                Froilan D. Maglaya, DSWD-NCR
33.                Ma. Elen L. Cestina, DSWD- Mandaluyong City
34.                Oscar B. Arceo, DPAD

     The participants welcomed the idea of making policies and programs to support the Independent Living of persons with extensive disabilities. They are looking forward to collaborate with LHILC to formulate this program.

     Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development are enthusiastic to develop new programs/services to empower persons with disabilities to live independently. They are looking forward for more collaboration to realize the goals of LHILC.

Independent Living Orientation Seminar for NCR

LHILC conducted this seminar on September 14, 2010 at Duque Hall, Department of Health Compound, Tayuman, Manila.

The following are the objectives:

1. To raise awareness about the social model of disability.

2. To present the concept of personal assistance and personal assistance service system.

3. To make the focal persons recognize the importance of personal assistance for independent living of persons with extensive disabilities and formulation of policies and programs for it.

The presentors from Life Haven are Abner Manlapaz, Jun Bernandino and May Anne Dao. This seminar was organized in cooperation with KAMPI.

Participants:

1. Dr. Vera, DOH

2. Laila M. Guce, Makati Social Welfare Department

3. Lael Gasco, DSWD-NCR-EGV

4. Joel Paladan P.A.

5. Micheal Dao P.A.

6. Jeremiah D. Dicen, CSWDO Las Pinas City

7. Spock Castillon, LPPWFI

8. Aron Castillen,

9. Cristina B. Castaneda, Pasay Social Welfare Deparment

10. Rommel Torres, Pasay Social Welfare Department

11. Edna J. Sacedor, DSWD- NCR

12. Luz Cabauatan, DSWD SSDP-QL

13. Joanna L. Hizon, DSWD-CO

14. Arleen B.Cino, MSWDO-Pateros

15. Ireneo S. SORIANO, Pateros

16. Romeo Canonoy, Jr., RSW-DSWD

17. Jeffrey, Reusora, S., PWD-DSW

18. Ma. Lourdes Basmayer, Mla. Department of Social Welfare

19. April P. Alianza, DSWD-NCR

20. Verenesse T. Ballado, DSWD-NCR

21. Lauro Purcil, Blind, DEPED

22. Samuel Banares, Jr., P.A.

23. Helario B. Supaz, ODPA-DSWD, Taguig

24. Charmaine Joy P. Agrigar, ODPA-DSWS, Taguig

25. Fle Labanon, NCDA

26. Charry Famitangco, PWD. San Juan

27. Glenis Balaque, IBON Foundation

28. Francis F. Dallano, CSWDO, Marikina City

29. Ken Lenon M. Sabangan, Polio, CSWDO Valenzuela City

30. Ma. Kristina R. Jayme, CSWDO Valenzuela City

31. Joel Marian O. CSWDO, Malabon

32. Froilan D. Maglaya, DSWD-NCR

33. Ma. Elen L. Cestina, DSWD- Mandaluyong City

34. Oscar B. Arceo, DPAD

The participants welcomed the idea of making policies and programs to support the Independent Living of persons with extensive disabilities. They are looking forward to collaborate with LHILC to formulate this program.

Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development are enthusiastic to develop new programs/services to empower persons with disabilities to live independently. They are looking forward for more collaboration to realize the goals of LHILC.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

PERSONAL ASSISTANTS WANTED

PERSONAL ASSISTANTS (PA) WANTED!

JOB OPPORTUNITY AND CHANCE FOR PERSONAL GROWTH

CALLING FRESH GRADUATES AND STUDENTS OF ALLIED MEDICAL COURSES (NURSING, PT, CAREGIVER, NURSING AIDE, ETC.) BE PART OF A NEW MOVEMENT. LIFE HAVEN INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER IS LOOKING FOR PERSONAL ASSISTANT CANDIDATES TO WORK FULL TIME OR PART TIME, PREFFERABLY RESIDENTS OF VALENZUELA CITY OR WITHIN 5KM RADIUS FROM SM VALENZUELA.

THERE WILL BE AN ORIENTATION AND QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL JOIN A ONE DAY WORKSHOP AT BAYVIEW HOTEL IN OCTOBER.

INTERESTED PARTIES, PLS CONTACT:

LIFE HAVEN INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER (355-35-72) or

E-MAIL: lifehaven@gmail.com

or SEND A MESSAGE TO LIFE HAVEN FACEBOOK ACCT.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Report on the Regional Event (June 18-22, 2010 Bangkok, Thailand)

Report on the Regional Event (June 18-22, 2010 Bangkok, Thailand)

A regional event was held on June 18 to 22, 2010 in Bangkok Thailand. The week-long event was composed of the following: 1) Establishment of personal assistance service in Asia Pacific; 2) Disabled People's International Asia-Pacific (DPI-AP) Regional Meeting; and 3) Asia Pacific Disabled People's Organization (DPO) United: Regional Congress toward the Establishment of the Regional Decade on Effective Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). This regional assembly was participated by delegates from Japan, Korea, Thailand, Pakistan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Australia, Maldives, Kyrgystan, Samoa, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, India, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, Mongolia, and other countries from Asia and the Pacific. The Philippine contingent of this regional assembly is composed of Abner Manlapaz and Benjamin "Jun" Bernandino of Life Haven Independent Living Center and Edwin De Villa of Spinal Cord Injury Foundation. They are accompanied by their PAs (Michael Dao, Cecilia Bayona and Rick De Villa). Asia Pacific Network for Independent Living (APNIL) funded the expenses for the Philippine contingent.

The first two days focused on the establishment of personal assistance (PA) service in Asia Pacific. Personal assistance is a vital factor to empower persons with extensive disabilities to live independently in the community. An effective PA service system will ensure the full participation of persons with disabilities in the community. This will help in the maximization of the potentials of the assistance user to live a full life. The PA concept deviates from the usual Filipino connotation of imposing the burden of supporting persons with disabilities to the family. This follows the progressive concept of the Independent Living philosophy regarding the social model perspective on disability. Since the Philippines is not yet implementing the PA service system, the Filipino participants shared their insights and learned from the experience of the other delegates. As shown by the experience of Philippines' neighboring countries, it is possible to establish this system if there is a strong political will.

On the third day was the Disabled People's International Asia-Pacific (DPI-AP) Regional Meeting. On this event, the Philippines was given observer status because the official representative was not able to attend. The Filipino representatives' participated and inputs were still given weight. An ASEAN council was established for sub-regional cooperation. Preliminary discussion for the declaration of another decade towards effective implementation of CRPD.

The fourth and fifth day was the Regional Congress toward the Establishment of the Regional Decade on Effective Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This was held at UNESCAP. Recognizing the importance of having a new decade for persons with disabilities in the Asia and Pacific region towards full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the delegates unanimously supported the declaration of the 3^rd decade. The result of the efforts of all participants is now embodied in the Bangkok Recommendation dated July 22, 2010 in the grounds of UNESCAP, Bangkok Thailand.

All in all these regional events manifested in concrete form the sector's motto – "Nothing about us Without us".

--
Benjamin Bernandino (Jun)

www.lifehaveninc.org

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Persons With Disabilities Orgs. Leaders File Complaints to Commission On Human Rights

Persons with disabilities from different Disabled Peoples' Organization (DPOs) submitted complaint letters to the Commission on Human Rights regarding violations of (1) the 20% discount on medicine by some drugstores & (2) provision of accessibility in building footbridges.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that at least 10% of a given population is persons with disabilities. With a 90 million population, there are 9 million Filipinos affected with some form of disability. 90% of this 9 million are poor and 80% of them are living in the rural areas where programs and services are not available or are inaccessible due to the prohibitive cost.

Medicines are vital to the day to day existence of PWD including children with AD/HD, autism, seizure disorder and other developmental disabilities who rely on their daily maintenance to stabilize their condition. Cancer survivors with resulting impairment consume daily doses of medicines.

In 2006, Republic Act 9442, an amendment to RA 7277, known as the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities mandates all drug stores and pharmacies to provide twenty (20%) discounts for every purchase of medicines similar to that of the senior citizens. It has been more than a year since the Department of Health issued Administrative Order No. 2009 – 0011 that mandates the full implementation of this law. However, to this date the Drug Store Association of the Philippines (DSAP) led by Mercury Drug Corporation (a company operating more than 450 drugstores) continuously violates the aforementioned law.

Members of DPOs around the country have numerous reports on the refusal to provide the discount of the mentioned business establishments. For this reason, persons with disabilities from different Disabled People's Organization (DPOs) joined ranks and filed their complaint against drugstores violating the provision in R.A. 9442.

BP 344, also known as the Accessibility Law, is an act to enhance the mobility of disabled persons by requiring certain buildings, institutions, establishments, and public utilities to install facilities and other devices. This law is in effect for almost 3 decades now but has been violated in numerous instances. The complaint pointed out, for the moment, the inaccessible footbridges which were all built in violation of the provisions of the Accessibility Law.

In some footbridges, there are futile attempts to include accessibility features. These attempts even made it more dangerous for persons with disabilities to use them. Take for example the footbridge in EDSA corner Quezon Avenue. One of the approaches of the ramp is not cemented and most of the time wet and muddy. The ramp is too steep that even with assistance it would be an arduous task to go up and a dangerous downhill trek. The structures of the steps are also not helpful for blinds using walking canes. There are no tactile markings for directions. All these and the other flaws are more of hindrances and not in consonance with the Accessibility Law.

The complaint letters were read by Mrs. Dang Koe of Autism Society Philippines and Abner Manlapaz of Life Haven Independent Living Center respectively before formally handing them over to Commissioner Norberto Dela Cruz of CHR. Commissioner Norberto Dela Cruz expressed his concern and vowed to look into this and take corresponding actions.

After submitting the formal complaint letter to the CHR, the group went to the Mercury Drugstore in Philcoa. The press people witnessed the violation continuously being committed by Mercury drugstore with regards to the implementation of R.A. 9442. Even after presenting the requirements for purchasing medicine, no discount was given.

The group then proceeded to inspect the EDSA/Quezon Ave. footbridge. The press people were given the chance of experiencing the difficulty of using the ramp on a wheelchair and the life-threatening alternative of crossing EDSA worming through the traffic.

--
Mary Anne Dao
Cel.Num. 09174532172
Life Haven Independent Living Center
http://www.lifehaveninc.org
4013A Gen. T. De Leon Valenzuela Philippines
office num. 355-35-72

Thursday, July 15, 2010

presscon.about violation of bp344 (accessibility law) and ra9442 (20% medicine discount)

A group of different leaders of Filipinos with disabilities supported by Akbayan & Fr. Robert Reyes organized a press briefing this morning at Quezon City. The activity aims to make the public aware of the plight of persons with disabilities in the implementation of 20% discount for medicine and the accessibility of footbridges in Metro Manila. We thank everyone who made this possible. We are hoping that this campaign thru media will bring positive result.

--
Mary Anne Dao
Cel.Num. 09174532172
Life Haven Independent Living Center
http://www.lifehaveninc.org
4013A Gen. T. De Leon Valenzuela Philippines
office num. 355-35-72

Thursday, July 8, 2010

LIFE HAVEN meets P-NOY

Dear friends,

An advocacy group of persons with disabilities will hand in to President Noynoy some documents. Among the documents that will be handed in are copies of Policy Notes released by PIDS regarding the Livelihood Survey of Persons with Disabilities in Metro Manila, draft copy of law on establishing personal assistance service, and the Bangkok Recommendation adopted during the Regional Congress. The Bangkok Recommendation proposes actions and strategies for the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which our government has ratified but has failed to uphold and implement miserably. The group will go to President Noynoy's Times Street residence in Quezon City on Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 6am.

Two members of this group (Abner Manlapaz and Benjamin Bernandino) participated in the just recently concluded Asia Pacific Disabled Peoples' Organizations (DPOs) United: Regional Congress toward the Establishment of the Regional Decade on Effective Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), 21-22 June, UN C4, UNESCAP, Bangkok.

Thank you.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Support Group Activity for June 12

Everything is set.

Live Haven

Independent Living Center

Office address: 4013 Gen. T. De Leon, Valenzuela

Philippines

Tel. +63 2 355-35-72

Visit:

http://www.lifehaveninc.org/

http://www.lifehavenilc.blogspot.com/

http://apnil.org/

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000676692121#!/profile.php?id=100001127283044&ref=profile

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Life Haven with Valenzuela Mayor Gatchalian

Valenzuela Support Group Activity

Valenzuela Support Group Activity:

Saturday, June 12, 2010
9 AM to 5 PM
Life Haven Independent Living Center
4013 General T. De Leon, Valenzuela City

Friday, April 16, 2010

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES SECTOR SHOUTS OUT INDIGNATION AGAINST COMELEC

Persons With Disabilities (PWD’s), one of only a few legitimate marginalized groups enumerated in Section 5 of Republic Act 7941 or the “Party-List System Act” shout their indignation over Commission on Election’s disqualification of DISABLED PINOY PARTY, the sole sectoral party delegated to represent their issues and concerns and tasked to be their voice in Congress. The decision of COMELEC, reeking of utter disregard and discrimination of a population pegged at ten percent of the Philippine total, angered both the leadership and general membership of the Alyansa ng Maykapansanang Pinoy (AKAPPINOY), the non-political national federation with 420 member PWD organizations nationwide championing the equal participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of social, political and economic activities of society.

“They said they were trying to trim down the party lists to 120, but look, now they’re 187 and COMELEC reasoned out that according to their findings, we have no constituency down the local level, ” said Mike Barredo, the standard bearer of the disenfranchised Disabled Pinoy Party list. “

In its letter to Chairman Leila de Lima of the Commission on Human Rights, AKAP-PINOY states: “DPP first filed its petition for registration as a sectoral organization under the party list system pursuant to R.A. 7941 on April 14 2009. The same was docketed as SPP 09-025, assigned to the Second Division of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

After hearing of said petition, in a Resolution promulgated on October 5, 2009, the Second Divison of COMELEC denied the petition on the ground that reports from COMELEC field offices reveal that DPP does not exist in most regions in the country and that it failed to state in its petition that it is not an adjunct of the government.”

On October 19, 2009, the DPP filed its Motion for Reconsideration before the COMELEC. Attached to the MR were pertinent documents refuting the aforementioned reasons for denial of the party’s application for registration. The Commission en banc, in a resolution dated November 25, 2009, denied the Motion for Reconsideration, stating among others: “…the Petitioner failed to prove that it is actively involved in promoting the interests of the group it seeks to represent” and “…Petitioner has failed to show factual evidence of actually pursuing its goals.” The Commission further states, “…because representation is easy to claim and feign. The party-list organization must factually and truly represent the marginalized and underrepresented constituencies mentioned in Section 5….”

The sector now laments: “Where have all our efforts, under AKAP-PINOY and the DISABLED PINOY’S PARTY, in assisting COMELEC and PPCRV – from the Focus Group Discussion for the selection of the supplier of the PCOS machines, to all of the forums on automated elections, even to discussions on how to assist PWD voters, gone? Aren’t they proof enough of pursuing the equal participation and enjoyment of all the rights of Persons With Disabilities? Where now is COMELEC’s obligation to promote, protect and realize the PWD right to political participation, one enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), to which the Philippines is a state party?

Commissioner Gregorio Y. Larrazabal was the guest speaker at the National Disability Summit organized by AKAPPINOY last November where he saw the delegation of leaders from different regions, yet he admitted to being the proponent at denying the application of DPP during the second review, with the reason that he had no inkling that the very people he encouraged to participate politically were the very ones he barred from inclusion. Meetings were conducted between COMELEC Officials, Commissioner Larrazabal among them, and representatives from the PWD sector but no effort was good enough; no consideration was given to the party list of Persons With Disabilities, but the list ballooned by scores with sectors way out of Section 5 of RA 7941. This raises questions and most of all, eyebrows, on the authenticity of the representations – the very issue COMELEC hurled at DPP. The joke, “approved without thinking “, could not be more hurting. In the case of PWD’s, the hurt is even doubled, as the case points out that their application was disapproved without thinking, too.

The final disqualification of DISABLED PINOY PARTY and COMELEC’s blatant bastardization of the Party-List System, has driven the PWD SECTOR into unified action. ON April 16, about 500 persons with disabilities from the National Capital Region and neighboring provinces and cities will gather to collectively express their indignation at the violation of their rights to political participation. The activity will start off with mass for sobriety and enlightenment at the Manila Cathedral at 7:00AM. Part of the spiritual petition is directed at a giant drug company for its continued arrogance and refusal to the implement of RA 9442, particularly providing the 20% discount on purchases of medicines by PWDs. The group will then proceed to COMELEC for the rally proper. Everyone is welcome to attend and is reminded that disability is part of human diversity – anyone and everyone can become disabled anytime, anywhere, whether temporarily or permanently.

For details of the assembly contact the following:

Carmen Reyes-Zubiaga

GERALDINE P. RUIZ