Philippines

January 5, 2010

Geographic map of southeast Asia with the Philipinnes highlightedMission To provide persons with disabilities with the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential as an individual, participate and contribute fully in all aspects of a productive life.

Vision
Aims to enhance the quality and dignity of life for persons with disabilities through the power of work by eliminating barriers to opportunity for people with special needs, and by facilitating skill empowerment, self-help and service.

To enhance the quality and dignity of life for persons with disabilities through the power of work by eliminating barriers to opportunity for people with special needs, and by facilitating empowerment, self-help, and service through dedicated autonomous local organizations.

History
Dr. Severino N. Luna founded the Goodwill Industries of the Philippines, Inc. (GIPI) on December 5, 1975 in Pañaque with 14 co-founders. 

Programs and Services Goodwill Industries of the Philippines provides rehabilitation, job training, and opportunities for personal growth that prepare persons with disabilities to become ready to enter the competitive labor market. The organization believes that work has the power to transform lives by building self-confidence, independence, creativity, trust and friendship. Everyone deserves a chance to have these, and the Goodwill provides the chance. Goodwill Industries of the Philippines also runs a retail store that helps fund the organization’s services, while providing employment opportunities and affordable goods to the community.

While it is known principally as a charitable organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, GIPI also serves low income earners and the community as a whole. For more than 3 decades, GIPI truly lived up to its name, spreading goodwill and helping hand to persons with disabilities. From humble beginnings, Goodwill Industries of the Philippines has grown by leaps and bounds over the years to continue to be a great service to persons with disabilities (PWDs) and disadvantaged. At present, it aims to further reach out to more PWDs within its community and surrounding areas for it strongly believes that every individual should have the opportunity to enjoy the benefit of full and equal participation in society.

Contact Information
http://goodwillph.com
http://twitter.com/GoodwillManila
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Goodwill-Industries-of-Manila-Philippines/115427285209874
goodwillphilippines@gmail.com

Country Profile
Country name: Philippines
Capital: Manila
Population: 101,833,938
Land Size: 115,831 square miles (slightly larger than Arizona)
President: Benigno Aquino
Languages: Filipino and English
Unemployment: 7.3 percent
GDP (PPP): $351.4 billion
GDP (PPP) per capita/average income: $3,500
Statistics on Persons with Disabilities: According to the 2000 Census, 1.2 percent of the population have disabilities. The United Nations’ estimate is closer to 7 percent. According to the same census, 57.12 percent of people with disabilities are 15 years old and over, had a job or their own business, and 30 percent of them worked in the agricultural sector.

State of Disability Legislation
The Magna Carta for Disabled Persons was a landmark piece of legislation that was approved in July 2006 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It states that 20 percent of privileges and incentives shall be given to people with disabilities. Those individuals shall be entitled to receive a 20-percent discount on the utilization of hotel, restaurant, and recreation services, and the like; admission fees in theaters, concerts, carnivals and others; purchase of medicines in all drugstores, medical and dental services, including diagnostic and laboratory services; and transportation fares, among others. The law also declared that anyone who violates the privileges entitled to people with disabilities will suffer a penalty.