Village for persons with disabilities

MANILA – Gawad Kalinga (GK) has officially launched The Village of Hope in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija. But unlike many other GK villages across the country, this new village is exclusively made for Persons with Disabilities.

The Village of Hope, considered the first and only village dedicated to people with disabilities, is a two-hectare lot in the capital of Nueva Ecija.

The lot was donated by the provincial governor, Aurelio Umali. Seeing the progress of the GK village in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija, Umali asked help from GK for the construction of this special community.

What was once a dream is now becoming a reality as several stakeholders signed the Memorandum of Agreement for the construction of the village.

Among those who signed and attended the groundbreaking event are Umali and his wife Cong. Czarina Umali, GK President Tony Meloto, Cabanatuan Bishop Sofronio Bancud, several local officials, and representatives from the disabled sector.

"These people will tell us, these people will teach us, these people will inspire us. Because they have been doing this for many years now. It's about time they get the limelight, it's about time they get the headlight, it's about time their stories be heard,” said Umali.

The governor also mentioned that livelihood projects will be organized within the community so that the residents will no longer need to go to the main city to work.

He added that the houses will be customized depending on the needs of the disabled residents.

Equal opportunity

GK President Tony Meloto hopes the project will be a model village not just in Nueva Ecija but in different parts of the country.

"Sana po maging magandang halimbawa sa iba't ibang probinsiya na sana they can design a village where even those with disabilities can live with dignity and they can live productive lives,” said Meloto.

Rodolfo Mendoza, president of the Nueva Ecija Association of Persons with Disability, expressed gratitude for the construction of the village.

With this special project, he said the confidence of his members can be elevated now that they are being given an equal opportunity by the public.

"Kasama na kami sa sociedad. I am thankful na marami kami leaders from the national level na iniiba na namin pananaw ng tao with us. Ayaw namin kami'y kaawaan but to be the partner of the government,” said Mendoza.

“Malaking tulong magagawa namin and given a chance, mapatunayan namin na we can also make it,” he declared.

Nilane Legaspi, who was born with physical deformities and is one of the beneficiaries, also expressed her gratitude for the project.

She just has one message for people without disabilities: "Sana maging pantay-pantay lahat, mag-respetuhan. Kung meron sila nakitang may kapansanan, tulungan nila... bigyan nila ng pagkakataon na mabuhay nang malaya."