THE Municipal Development Council (MDC) of Baggao, Cagayan Valley recently visited the city of Cagayan de Oro for a benchmarking activity, said City Mayor's Office Chief of Staff Shiela Lumbatan.

Lumbatan said the focus of their visit was particularly on the practices within Barangay Bulua, a district in the city known for its efforts in creating a friendly environment for Persons with Disabilities (PWD).

The visiting group from Baggao was comprised of 30 Barangay (village) leaders from their municipality. 

Among the officials were Marlon Narisma from the Municipal Local Government Operations Office (MLGOO), Benjamin Miguel, the head of the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO), and Mario Bulusan, the Assistant PDAO.

BAGGAO MDC explores PWD-friendly practices in Cagayan de Oro for municipal development inspiration. The visiting group was comprised of 30 Barangay (village) leaders from their municipality. (CIO photo)

The group was warmly welcomed by the Search for Most PWD-Friendly Barangay Technical Working Group, led by the PDAO Head Maria Liza Corpuz, as well as members of the Barangay Bulua council led by Barangay Chair Al P. Legaspi Jr. 

"The visit provided an opportunity for sharing insights and observations about creating a supportive community environment for PWDs," Lumbatan said.

It's worth noting that Barangay Bulua had been recognized as the Most PWD-Friendly Barangay under the rural barangay category, according to Lumbatan. 

They also received special awards for Best in Governance, Social Participation, and Education last year. 

"This recognition has positioned them as a model for other communities to learn from," said Lumbatan.

Baggao, Cagayan Valley's MDC is the first municipality to undertake a visit to the Local Government Unit - Cagayan de Oro (LGU-CDO) for the explicit purpose of observing the city's PWD-friendly practices. 

This visit demonstrates the increasing interest in and importance of creating inclusive communities for PWDs.

The delegation from Baggao, Cagayan Valley is expected to pay a courtesy visit to the office of Mayor Rolando Uy this week. 

Lumbatan said that this meeting will further strengthen the ties between the two regions and promote the sharing of best practices for the welfare of PWDs.