One-stop shop for PWDs wins U.N. public service award
Kalingyakap also provided free medical checkups, therapy, skills training, and livelihood aid to PWDs.
Daily TribuneKalingyakap also provided free medical checkups, therapy, skills training, and livelihood aid to PWDs.
THE Kalingyakap shelter for PWDs in Carmona, Cavite.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF ATTY. ROY LOYOLA
A one-stop shop for persons with disability (PWD) is among the winners of the 2026 United Nations Public Service Awards for advancing inclusivity and gender equality.
Officials from the UN Deparment of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) handed the award to Kalingyakap, represented by Carmona City Mayor Dahlia Loyola, during the ceremony coinciding with UN Public Service Day on 23 June 2026 in Tbilisi, Georgia.
The two-story Kalingyakap Integrated Shelter Support and Services for PWDs located in Cavite and inaugurated in February is a model for disability-inclusive governance initiated by the local government of Carmona. It delivers health, education, livelihood, social development, and empowerment services to PWDs. It also provides safe, inclusive housing for orphaned PWDs.
Kalingyakap’s individualized education and rehabilitation have produced graduates with high school diplomas, vocational certifications, and college degrees. The number of learners with disabilities supported by the program has steadily grown over the years and stood at 365 for the 2024 to 2025 school year.
The city placed more than 1,000 PWDs in jobs. There are 2,657 PWDs employed in the city in early 2025.
Kalingyakap also provided free medical checkups, therapy, skills training and livelihood aid to PWDs. It provided PWDs with Birthday Health Card and assistive device to reduced barriers to healthcare and mobility.
The shelter has classrooms, administrative office, shower rooms, comfort rooms, dormitory rooms, infirmary and consultation room.
Loyola said the award is historic and an important milestone of the progressive city in its commitment to innovative, good governance, and people-centric public service, according to PIA.
She lauded the Office of the Persons with Disability Affairs for its role in realizing and implementing the project.
The Kalingyakap was chosen by the UNDESA among 700 nominations from around the world under the “Delivering Inclusive and Equitable Services to Leave No One Behind” category.
The UN Public Service Awards gives recognition to ground breaking initiatives from 62 countries that advance the Sustainable Development Goals.