Before the heavy rain pours down and a muddy road gets in the way, a man quickly gets off of his wheelchair. He goes on his hands and knees to transfer to a motorcycle, which will send him to the nearby lake to collect water lilies.
“Kumukuha ako ng waterlily kahit umuulan,” said Manny Cruz, a 46 year-old worker from the charcoal-making cooperative in Taguig City. When he was a child, he contracted polio, a condition that weakens his muscle and impairs his ability to walk.
Hidden on the outskirts of the city, a makeshift shack built from wood and iron sheets houses the charcoal factory of Samahan ng may Kapansanan sa Taguig (SAMAKAT).
SAMAKAT is a group of persons with disabilities (PWDs) who have been living a productive life by making organic charcoal from water lilies and other biodegradable materials. It is a livelihood project supported by Pondo ng Pinoy, a non-government organization under the Catholic Church.
That day, Cruz braved the nearby lake to gather some water lilies, the first step in the production process of charcoal-making.
Cruz relies on a rope to get down the lake because there is no ramp or assistive facilities to help him with the task.
“[Pag malakas yung ulan], hindi na ako lumulusong, hinihila ko nalang yung waterlily tapos hinahagis ko sa kasama ko,” explained Cruz who eagerly works regardless of his physical limitations.
After gathering, they transport the water lilies to the factory for sun drying process.
Ruel Antonio, who lost his right foot in an accident, is the official driver of the group. He drives an automatic and specially customized motorcycle given by their church benefactor.
PWD workers in the factory share an ample amount of effort for the productivity of the livelihood program.
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Mario Galvez, president of SAMAKAT, admitted that the factory lacks facilities and technologies that would aid them in their workplace.
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“Yung lugar small space lang. Kaya po yung makina si-net up namin na magkakalapit-lapit para rin sa amin,” said Galvez, also polio-stricken but actively manages and oversees the overall production in the factory.
Galvez shared that one of the biggest challenges they face is the weather. Sun drying of water lilies is essential to the whole process of charcoal-making. During rainy seasons, he mentioned that machines such as an automatic dryer would help them a lot since it saves time and effort.
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“Kami nalang po yung nag-aadjust, as persons with disabilities kung paano namin mapapabilis yung production,” he added.
They are currently using machines that emit immense smoke for grinding and crushing dried water lilies. This can cause possible health risks compounded by the fact that workers have no proper uniform and equipment such as masks, gloves or glasses for protection.
“Wala pong gloves kasi kulang sa pinansya e. Pinagkakasya lang po namin kung anong meron kami,” Galvez said.
According to Riverita Soriano, lay coordinator of Pondo ng Pinoy, the non-government organization behind SAMAKAT, the livelihood project helped the group earn a living at the same time overcome physical limitations.
“Ngayon hindi na sila humihingi ng limos kasi magmula nang nagkaroon sila ng livelihood, nakataas-noo na yang mga yan dahil may sarili silang hanap-buhay,” Soriano said.
Soriano added that they plan to coordinate with concerned government agencies for technology assistance such as Department of Science and Technology, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Taguig City government.
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According to Helario Supaz, PWD officer-in-charge of Taguig, they are promoting an “inclusive community development for persons with disabilities” through training, employment programs and business opportunities.
“Mayroon tayong city government na nag-allot talaga ng pondo for assistive devices sa ating mga persons with disabilities,” Supaz said.
But Supaz emphasizes that communication between the local government and PWD groups is important in order to ensure an inclusive environment for PWDs.
“Dapat talaga may coordination with concerned agencies.”
A Philippine Statistics Authority census revealed that 1.57 percent or some 1.4 million out of 92.1 million people in the country during 2010 were PWDs.
Among 17 regions, CALABARZON had the highest number of PWDs (193,000) followed by the National Capital Region (167,000).
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The Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities assures five percent of positions reserved for PWDs in the employment industry.
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But Aurora Halcon, labor department chief on Employment Promotion and Workers’ Welfare division, admits that there is a lack of employment opportunities for PWDs in the country.
According to her, the rate of employment of PWDs in the country is certainly low.
The Magna Carta for PWDs (RA 7277) contains provisions granting the rights and privileges of PWDs, including equal employment opportunities. Its provisions include “improvement of facilities, acquisition or modification of equipment or device, auxiliary aids and services” to PWDs.
In order to attain a barrier-free environment, the Accessibility Law or Batas Pambansa 344 states that “the national and local government shall allocate funds for the provision of architectural or structural features for disabled persons in government buildings and facilities.”
Although SAMAKAT is supported by a non-government organization, the Magna Carta requires the government to provide assistance and extend all possible support to PWDs.
According to Halcon, the labor department, along with other concerned government agencies can ensure financial assistance and services to SAMAKAT provided that it will undergo proper procedure and assessment.
Disability exists only in an environment that is inaccessible for an individual. Cruz and other members of SAMAKAT prove that they are differently-abled individuals capable of living a normal and productive lives regardless of disabilities.
While policies, assistive technologies and opportunities provided for PWDs are yet to be prioritized by the State, genuine inclusion remains beyond the grasp of those who stand to benefit from it.
Drawing the line of disability
Story and photos by Maegan Gaspar
