LINGAYEN, Pangasinan- A total of 81 visually impaired individuals were given mobility canes during the White Cane Distribution and Orientation and Mobility Training held recently at the Pangasinan PESO Building, Capitol Complex here.
The activity which was organized by the Provincial Health Office (PHO), in partnership with the Provincial Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), was part of the post-celebration activity of the 2025 White Cane Safety Day.
Anchored on the theme, “Vision Beyond Sight: Celebrating Independence, Resilience, and Recognizing Achievements of the Blind,” the program went beyond ceremonial distribution by equipping both beneficiaries and their assistors with an orientation and mobility training.
As emphasized during the training, white cane is not just a mobiliy aid but a symbol of independence, dignity, and empowerment for the visually impaired community.
Participants totalling 120 came from various towns across Pangasinan, including Binalonan, Manaoag, Sta. Maria, Pozorrubio, Basista, Villasis, Mangatarem, Alcala, Umingan, Infanta, Sual, and Sta. Barbara. Beneficiaries and their families expressed gratitude, stressing how the initiative would enhance their safety, improve daily living, and encourage greater independence.
Reflecting Pangasinan’s broader commitment to accessibility and inclusion, aligned with national laws and international agreements protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, the program highlighted various laws governing the rights of the differently-abled sector such as the following.
● RA 7277 (Magna Carta for Disabled Persons), as amended by RA 9442 – guarantees the rights and privileges of persons with disabilities.
● RA 10070 – mandates the creation of Persons with Disability Affairs Offices (PDAOs) to ensure inclusion in governance and development.
● RA 10524 – expands employment opportunities for PWDs in government service.
● UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) – affirms the right to mobility, accessibility, and full participation.
● Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – particularly SDG 10 (Reducing Inequalities) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), guided by the principle of “Leave No One Behind.”
Under Governor Ramon V. Guico III’s administration, programs and projects for the differently-abled Pangasinenses were intensified.
(Trisha Gayle Chavaria|RFR, photos by Charish Rivera | PIMRO)
