Pasig gov’t gives leg, arm prostheses to amputees


To empower the local persons with disabilities (PWDs) community in Pasig City, the local government, through the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), gave free prosthetic leg and arm braces to 32 amputees on Wednesday, Nov. 16.

Photo from Pasig City Councilor Quin Cruz FB Page

The awarding and fitting of the braces to PWDs was held at the Pasig City Hall Quadrangle, which was renovated to install better situated and smoother ramps for easier access by wheelchair users.

Through the project, PDAO aimed to “provide PWDs assistance to acquire assistive devices to improve their living conditions, and empower them economically as their enhanced mobility would help them with their daily activities and livelihoods.”

With these necessary tools and aids, PDAO also hoped to “facilitate PWDs’ integration into the mainstream of society.”

Each beneficiary of the project was given prostheses according to their needs, such as an artificial leg below the knee (transtibial) or above the knee (transfemoral), as well an artificial arm above the elbow (transhumeral) or below the elbow (transradial).

The prostheses were made and provided by the PBF Prosthesis and Brace Center, based at Tahanang Walang Hagdanan in Cainta, Rizal.

Photo from Pasig City Councilor Quin Cruz FB Page

The project was done in cooperation with the local PWD Associations, Abot-Kamay ng mga may Kapansanan ang Pagunlad ng Pasigueño (AKKAPP) Federation, and the Pasig Children with Disabilities Under Parent Support Group.

Last Nov. 6, PDAO opened the prostheses measurement and consultation for below elbow or above knee amputees.

It was conducted in partnership with the City Health Department (CHD), Physicians for Peace Philippines Incorporated, and the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD).

Gracing the fitting ceremony, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto assured the PWD community of the local government’s support, saying the transformation of Pasig into a more “PWD-friendly” city remains one of their priorities.

They will continue to scale up efforts to assist PWDs in terms of financial aid, social services, and healthcare among others, Sotto said.