Introduction

The year 1996 marks the 21st year of existence of the Wheelchair and Disabled Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (WDFP).

Since its founding in Sept. 14, 1975, WDFP had gone a long way in achieving its Objectivess to provide direct welfare and auxiliary services to its members and other non-members who are orthopedically disabled who had been referred to WDFP for assistance.

Within one year after it was founded WDFP was able to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission and obtain tbe approval of Bureau of Internal Revenue as a qualified done.

Today, the WDFP board which determines policy guideline and direction is composed of highly motivated persons with orthopedic disability who are executives of their own rights, highly respected in their respective organizations and are role models to emulate. These men and women with their corresponding positions in WDFP are as follows:

  1. Gonzalo Goquiolay, President (Paraplegic) President, Acoje Holdings Member, NCWDP Council
  2. Eric Cruz, VP for Finance (Paraplegic) Executive Vice-President, FF Cruz Constuction Company Member, NCWDP Council
  3. Eulalia Lim, VP for Programs (Post-polio) President, Global Tele-processing Services
  4. Carmen Mendoza, Treasurer (Post-polio) Comptroller, Hyatt Regency Hotel
  5. Hermie Abejo, Secretary (Paraplegic) Corporate Lawyer
  6. Sr. Valeriana Baerts, ICM Director and Welfare Coordinator Founder of Tahanan Walang Hagdanan and House With No Steps Foundation
  7. Louie Chuidian, Director (Paraplegic) President, Severo-Tuazon and Company
  8. Antonio Kohtiao, Director (Paraplegic) President, Minerva Trading
  9. Fr. Armand Tangi, SSP, Spiritual and Artistic Director Society of St. Paul
  10. Carmen Ventanilla, Director UP Professor

WDFPI did not fuly develop as an organization until it established its own secratariat and administrative staff to provide support in the implementation of its program thru direct services. This happened only in 1983 when Bahay Biyaya Student Hostel was finally completed to house the WDFPI office located at 8 St. Michael Street, Cubao, Quezon City.

To maximize its resources WDFPI had to share its common secretariat and administractive staff with the House With No Steps Foundation and the Philippine Council of Cheshire Homes for the Disabled. In other words WDFPI does not employ full time employees.

The Board and Directors of these three organizations had agreed that WFDPI President is the office-in-charge of the day to day operation of the three organization.

To achieve its general Objectivess, WDFPI has developed the STEERS Program which consists of specific programs that are geared mainstreaming and social integration.

WDFPI has hired a Dalupan Diaz, Murillo accounting firm to make an annual audit of its books of account.