VALENZUELA City Mayor Wes Gatchalian, in coordination with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and the Housing and Resettlement Office (HRO), formally turned over a fully-furnished housing unit in Disiplina Village Ugong to a Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) family on Tuesday as part of the city’s mission to provide the “best and inclusive services to all.”

The beneficiary is a PWD family consisting of Jonady Zapanta, 42 years old, who serves as the head of the household, his sister, Nelly Zapanta, 32, suffering from Tetra-Amelia Syndrome, and their niece, Marie Zapanta, 19, suffering from hydrocephalus. The family has been a client of the local government since 2011 and has been seeking financial assistance for their daily necessities.

Mr. Zapanta, being the head of the household, has never been hindered by his own disability; he continuously worked hard as a beautician in Barangay Dalandanan to be able to support his family. Earning an insufficient amount of P4,000 per month, the family has been struggling to survive their daily lives.

In 2016, the CSWDO intervened with the family by providing daily supplies of diapers and milk. Amelia Gatuz, a homecare volunteer, also provided her services to the family by caring for Marie.

With their struggling situation, they were recommended by the CSWDO to receive the utmost social service assistance. Thus the local government unit (LGU) of Valenzuela granted a housing unit in Disiplina Village Ugong, furnished with basic appliances for the family. It aims to provide a more comfortable environment for the family.

With this, Mayor Wes Gatchalian said they “will continue to provide comfort for all the Pamilyang Valenzuelano,” and the event serves as another milestone for the City Government’s mission for inclusivity.

Also present during the turnover ceremony were Councilor Niña Lopez, CSWDO Head Dorothy Evangelista, Housing and Resettlement Office Head Elenita Reyes, and Ugong Punong Barangay Ed Nazar and council.

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Edd Reyes