NAMRIA participated in this year's National Volunteer Month through its Bayanihang Bayan Desk (BBD) by handing over a donation of wheelchairs during a simple turnover activity at the office compound of Create a Job for Disabled Association, Inc. (CJDAI), Pandacan, Manila on 21 December 2023. The donation was made possible through the support of NAMRIA Administrator, Usec. Peter N. Tiangco, PhD; Morale and Welfare Committee (MWC) Chairperson, Support Services Branch (SSB) Dir. Concepcion A. Bringas; and Vice Chairperson and concurrent Head of the Socio-Cultural Subcommittee-MWC, Chief of Staff (COS) Rowena E. Bongalos. Aside from the three wheelchairs donated by the NAMRIA BBD, the NAMRIA Multi-Purpose Cooperative and an anonymous donor from the Geospatial Information System Management Branch (GISMB) each donated apiece. This means five CDJAI beneficiaries will each receive a NAMRIA-donated wheelchair.

 

The simple turnover activity started off with an invocation and message by CJDAI President Armando O. Alimagno. Mr. Alimagno thanked NAMRIA for its support to their priority project - the Gintong Landas Project 2023. The project is designed to provide persons with disabilities (PWDs) who lack financial resources with assistive devices (e.g. wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, foot orthotics, and brace cases). He also welcomed the possibility of a partnership with NAMRIA in their other programs like Pamaskong Regalo para sa may Kapansanan, Kawanggawa Gamutan para sa mga Mahihirap, and Sariling Trabaho para sa may “K” (Kapansanan).

 

NAMRIA BBD Focal Person Jeffrey A. Quodala, on behalf of the NAMRIA Administrator, thanked CJDAI for the opportunity to help the PWDs needing wheelchairs; and NAMRIA officials, employees, and donors for their support to the activity. In response, the father of one of the beneficiaries thanked NAMRIA and CJDAI for the help they received.

 

In closing, Mr. Alimagno awarded NAMRIA with a plaque of recognition and facilitated the photo opportunities with the beneficiaries, NAMRIA BBD volunteers, and CJDAI staff. NAMRIA Youth Desk Officer Jois Roueli O. Ferrer; Jessica A. Quodala, Maria Isabelle A. Menodiado, Peter S. Dela Cruz, Cristito C. Pesado, and Andro B. Corpin of SSB; and Jeffrey M. Aguillon of GISMB assisted the BBD during the marketing, preparation, and documentation phases of the activity. All pictures in this article were taken by Mr. Aguillon.

 

CJDAI is a non-profit organization duly registered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Securities and Exchange Commission. Their mantra Pilipinong May Kapansanan, Pilipinong May Karapatan guides them in their dedicated service to PWDs, regardless of age, status, and creed. Their beneficiaries are stroke patients, persons with polio, children with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, diabetic foot amputees, and visually-impaired and orthopedically-handicapped persons. Their clients are either walk-ins or referred by the Manila Social Welfare Department of Districts V and VI, National Capital Region's local government units, and different Christian churches.