A livelihood program provided by the local government unit (LGU) here allowed parents of children with physical and psychosocial disabilities to earn and support their medical and basic needs.

Amie Dava, designated officer at Persons with Disability Affairs Office of San Jose de Buenavista, said they organized 10 parents into Asosasyon ng mga may Kapansanan sa Munisipalidad (AKMA) ng San Jose de Buenavista and are now engaged in crafts and designs livelihood project.

“The parents trained on sewing, and they are now accepting orders on crafts and designs like making unique t-shirts, bags and other wearables that have the ‘patadyong’ or handwoven fabric accent,” she said in an interview on Monday.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provided them with three sewing machines under the shared service facility (SSF) program, which the LGU complemented with cloth, scissors and other tools for sewing.

“There are two parents who have sewing machines at home so they can work even at home,” Dava said.

The livelihood project allowed parents to earn while attending to the needs of their children because they could work either at home or at the center.

The LGU also campaigns for orders to sustain the livelihood project.

“Each parent could earn around PHP2,000 per month from the orders,” she said.

San Jose de Buenavista has around 400 children aged zero to 17 years with a disability, but only 10 parents are directly engaged in the livelihood project.

In a press conference Monday, San Jose de Buenavista Mayor Elmer Untaran said a Santa Ride awaits children, senior citizens and indigents as part of their “Paskwa sa Banwa” and the ongoing Antique Binirayan Festival.

“We have asked the barangay captains to list the PWDs, seniors and the poorest of the poor so they could receive gifts during the Santa Ride,” Untaran said.

The “Paskwa sa Banwa,” which kicks off Monday until Dec. 23, opened with a Christmas Santa hats parade, lighting of the municipal Christmas tree and a fireworks display. (PNA)