Akeanon PWDs Win Awards in Regional Activities

In celebration of the 44th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week on July 17-23, 2022, the Department of Trade and Industry Region VI organized activities featuring the craftsmanship and special abilities of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Ubra-PWD Sang Rehiyon Seis, a regional market promotion event, was conducted both physically and online to market the products of participating PWD micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Product display and photo exhibitions were held at Robinsons Place Iloilo, Robinsons Place Jaro, and Robinsons Place Pavia from January 18-24, 2022 while simultaneously posting the product photos on Ubra-PWD’s official Facebook page.

Three (3) PWD MSMEs from Aklan participated in the trade event, namely: Charly’s Bag Manufacturing owned by Mr. Charly Villanueva from Lezo, PWD Balete Association represented by Mr. Ron Martesano, and STAC Parents Association of Banga, Aklan managed by Mr. Francis Ratay.

STAC Banga won as 1st Place in the Best New Product Category and PWD Balete as 1st Place in the Best Visual Enterprise Presentation Category. For the Best Enterprise in Online Photo Presentation category, 2nd Place went to PWD Balete while the 3rd Place was awarded to STAC Banga.

Hooray PWD, a mentoring and coaching program, was offered to youth PWDs to enhance their entrepreneurial mindset and provide opportunities in starting their own businesses. Four aspiring entrepreneurs from Aklan joined the program. They are Mr. Mark Lester Artocillo of Estancia, Kalibo; Kyle Trinidad of Mabilo, New Washington; Ms. Franda Nicole Donato of Calizo, Balete; and Ms. Rina Gonzales of Bubog, Numancia.

Mr. Mark Lester Artocillo was announced as the Top 1 in business idea presentation among the 35 participants from Region VI. “With this program, I was able to realize that having this disability that does not limit me from being a singer or a masseur but I can also start my own business and help people who need work especially the youth and people with disability. I also hope that through me, they will be inspired to not only keep moving on with their lives but to be a blessing as well to others”, said Mr. Artocillo.

“To our PWDs, we are wishing you the best in your business endeavors and we at DTI-Aklan will be here to guide you along the way. And to our community, let us support the products of our PWD MSMEs as well as other local businesses here in the province of Aklan,” says PD Ma. Carmen I. Iturralde.

*Images courtesy of DTI Region VI’s Facebook Page and TIDA Iris Mae Ibisate-Sarabia’s post