INTRODUCTION
Apolinario Mabini distinguished himself not only because he had an excellent mind — for there were many great minds even in his time — but also because although he had been paralyzed since birth, he did not allow his handicap to deter him in developing his other talents. His greatness stems from his being able to surmount the obstacles that otherwise could have laid his gifts to waste, and having done so, in dedicating all he had in the service of his country and countrymen.

We gather here to honor distinguished fellow Filipinos who, like Apolinario Mabini, have given of themselves — their time, resources and skills — to a most worthy cause.

The Apolinario Mabini Rehabilitation Awards provide recognition of the potential of our awardees as well as of the rest of our countrymen, especially those of our disabled.
TAPPING EVERY FILIPINO’S POTENTIAL
A nation of such cultural diversity as ours develops individuals whose different skills enrich our heritage and our capability to grow.

We all possess two types of resources: those that are obvious and highly visible, and the latent talent that lies within each of us but is barely used or not even discovered.

Our disabled countrymen are a rich source of such potential waiting to be utilized. There are many individuals who are physically handicapped but whose minds, writing skills, or voices have shown promise of fame and fortune not only for themselves but also for our country. They need to be provided the opportunity to demonstrate what they can do for themselves and for their countrymen.

This opportunity has come. More and more people are now aware that there are many handicapped Filipinos who possess talents and skills that the physically normal do not have.

We have started to recognize their capability to become self-reliant and to contribute to our efforts for national development. This is already a good beginning. But we should not stop at recognition. We should not only grant them the freedom to dream; we should also give them the means by which they can realize these dreams.
INITIATIVES FOR OUR DISABLED
My government firmly believes that our physically disabled countrymen can significantly contribute to nation-building. We have thus instituted several measures to ensure that those who are handicapped may be part of the mainstream of our national development efforts.

The Philippine government is a signatory to the Asia-pacific Declaration of the Decade of the Disabled. We actively implement our Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, especially through the expanded acquisition of special equipment and facilities for them. We have undertaken consultations to effectively address their problems. In addition, we have translated such support into several doable measures to enable the handicapped to develop their capabilities.

I have issued several specific directives to our agencies to this effect. I have directed the Department of Education, Culture and Sports to encourage students with special disabilities through the assistance of special education teachers. So far, 68 special schools and special education centers have been established.

The Department of Labor and Employment is implementing a special matching and placement program for persons with disabilities. We provide employment priorities for them and ensure that they are not discriminated against.

I have pushed for the stricter implementation of the accessibility law. The Departments of Transportation and Communication and of Public Works and Highways have completed projects to provide our disabled more access to public facilities.

I have also released over P1.2 million from the president’s special fund for livelihood, income-generating activities and special concerns for the disabled sector.
LESSONS FROM THE DISABLED
We can emulate our disabled brothers and sisters who, despite their handicaps, have striven to be self-reliant. We can learn from their determination to succeed, even when they know that the odds are against them. We can learn to shed the defeatism that many of our able-bodied countrymen have.

We can borrow from them the optimism that derives from self-discipline and faith in oneself. We are proud of our handicapped countrymen who have become outstanding in their fields, for they learned early in their lives that no one is truly handicapped if he does not allow himself to be so.
ONWARD TO “PHILIPPINES 2000!!!”
Our nation’s vision for “Philippines 2000!!!” is real and the means to get there are within our grasp.

Our goals are specific: a per capita income of at least $1,000; a GNP rate of from 6 to 8%; and the incidence of poverty lowered to at least 30%. But we have only up to the end of the century to achieve them.

There is no reason why the Philippines, with its wealth of natural and human resources, cannot attain these relatively modest goals. The industry of our people can carry us there. We have skills and expertise that are in great demand the world over. We can use all these skills to rebuild the nation and get us to where we rightfully belong in the community of nations.
CLOSING
Mabini’s paralysis did not prevent him from making dynamic contributions to the revolutionary movement. The Katipunan relied on his mental powers, more than on anyone else’s, to map out the strategies for the nation’s freedom.

We draw great inspiration from his example. The majority of us who are physically able have more reason to contribute our talents and skills for nation-building.

Today, we are deep into another revolution to fight poverty, deprivation and under-development. “Philippines 2000!!!” is our battle cry. We can win this war only if we all agree to work together and to work hard to achieve our vision of peace and prosperity.

Let us move on from here. Guided and inspired by the examples of our awardees today, let us recognize the worth of every Filipino and tap all the resources that lay undiscovered in each of us.

I congratulate the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, Inc. which has, since 1974, made the presenting of the A. Mabini Awards a major annual activity. For this, we thank the officers of the foundation led by its president, Nena Eng Tan.

Congratulations are also in order for Mrs. Gina Vera-Perez de Venecia, the foundation’s awards committee chairperson.

But none are more deserving of our gratitude and congratulations that this year’s awardees, who by their deeds, rekindle our faith in the essential goodness and boundless capacity of the human spirit and inspire us to achieve more than we think is possible.

To all of this afternoon’s awardees, my sincerest congratulations and carry on.

Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year to all.

Mabuhay tayong lahat.