The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the City Government of Dasmariñas, acting through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), and MediWalk Corp. establishes a program to provide prosthetic and orthotic (P&O) services for qualified referred patients. Announced under Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga, the partnership aims to improve mobility and independence for residents.
The Partnership and Its Purpose
The partnership between the City Government of Dasmariñas and MediWalk Corp. is designed to provide access to quality prosthetic and orthotic services for qualified patients referred by the city government. Prosthetic and orthotic devices are externally applied aids that help restore function and mobility for individuals with missing limbs or musculoskeletal conditions . Orthoses are braces or supports that modify structural or functional characteristics of the neuromuscular and skeletal systems, while prostheses are artificial devices that replace missing body parts such as legs, hands, or feet to restore function, mobility, and independence .
The program will be implemented through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the welfare arm of the city government that provides social protection and promotes the rights and welfare of the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged individuals and families , and the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), which is mandated to formulate and implement policies, plans, and programs for the promotion of the welfare of PWDs . The establishment of a PDAO in every province, city, and municipality is required under Republic Act No. 10070.
Supporting Mobility and Independence
According to Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga, the partnership aims to enhance mobility, independence, and overall quality of life for qualified patients by providing access to quality prosthetic and orthotic services. Mobility is defined as the ability to move quickly and easily, and for persons with disabilities, access to assistive devices can significantly improve their capacity to participate in daily activities and social life .
The partnership aligns with the United Nations' call to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in sustainable development, as they drive progress that benefits everyone while systemic barriers such as inaccessible services continue to limit their participation . For qualified residents of Dasmariñas City, this initiative means improved access to life-changing assistive devices that can restore function and independence.
