The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to lead the Philippine delegation in the Third Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025 in Berlin, Germany from April 2 to 3.

Asst. Secretary Elaine Fallarcuna of the DSWD’s International Affairs, Attached and Supervised Agencies (IAASA) explained that the global summit will be an avenue for member-states to express their support and commitments in implementing the rights of persons with disabilities as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

“The DSWD is honored to represent the Philippines in this significant summit that will promote the rights of all persons with disabilities across the world. In this gathering, we will signify our government’s commitments to ensure that persons with disabilities will have access to employment, digital information and communication, accessible infrastructures, disaster risk reduction, and social protection programs, among others,” Asst. Secretary Fallarcuna, who will head the Philippine delegation, said on Monday (March31).

These initiatives, according to Asst. Secretary Fallarcuna, are huge steps to remove the barriers that hinder the participation of persons with disabilities in Philippine society.

Asst. Secretary Fallarcuna will be joined by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Walter Francis Torres; National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) Executive Director Glenda Relova; NCDA OIC Deputy Executive Director Dandy Victa; National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Director Ana Cañeda; Department of Health (DOH) Senior Health Program Officer Maria Cristina Raymundo; and, Department of Education (DepEd) Supervising Education Program Specialist Vic Emerson Danao.

The GDS is a triennial event that advances the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities through international cooperation. It is co-hosted by the Governments of Germany and Jordan, alongside the International Disability Alliance (IDA). (AKDL)