RONNEL DEL RIO

Other people stop form dreaming big when they have a disability, but Ronnel del Rio
did not let his disability limit him in life. He motivates his self to set high goals and reach for
them. In addition, he is now looking to pursuing a doctoral degree after being considered as a
first blind Filipino to have earned graduate degree.

Ronnel del Rio had more challenges to face a average of student in elementary, high
school and college. Before he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the Philippine
Christian University, del Rio said he had to massage at least two patients everyday to secure his
allowance for the following school day. He is from poverty family, he despite securing a
scholarship to work and study at the same to afford the expenses of going to school. He said
“My relatives on my mother’s side served as my motivation to make it through college. Every
single one of them obtained a bachelor’s degree and I took is as challenge to follow their
example”. Del Rio is a broadcast journalist. He is also blind but it doesn’t mean he is blind for
reality in the society. He is fighting and opens the eyes of many people to PWD awareness or
also known as person with disability awareness. His goal is to give these people their right and to
acknowledge them by the people and treat them with respect and ordinary.

Ronnel del Rio was the first blind Filipino to graduate in a master program in De La
Salle, completing a master degree in Management Technology in 2003. He is a first gained
notoriety as a broadcast journalist in 1996 with his public affairs radio program, “Goodmorning
Southern Luzon”. On air, he discussed daily issues of the community and integrated concerns of
person with disabilities, advocating for accessible services in his area. Ronnel del Rio graduated
with a degree of bachelor of Science in Social Work at the Philippines Christian University.
Upon graduation, he received a scholarship grant form overbook school for the blind, Philippine
Adelphia, USA. When he went back to the Philippines, he established and founded
“PUNLAKA” which means “Pamayanang, Ugnayan, Landas, Alay sa mga KApansanan”. This
organization he established is to serve person with disabilities in Region 4, Philippines. He said
that PUNLAKA is one of leading voices in advocating causes of PWD sector in the coutry.
PUNLAKA is very inspiring organization to give a chance and encourage people who belong in
PWD. He inspired other people to have a voice and sight from the situation in our society.
 Mr. del Rio is a member of the Rotary Club of Lipa South District 3820. He is also a
member of Philippine Coalition on the Rights of person with Disabilities. He has worked as the
Urban Poor Affair Chief in Lipa City. But he is working as the spoke person of Governor Villa
Santos Recto, In the Province of Batangas. Currently, Mr. del Rio has been elected as the
national council representative for visual impaired Filipinos of the National Anti-poverty
Commission. His mission is to help the disabled person face their fear and live their dream.

“The bible doesn’t say pity the blind. In the New Testament, Jesus even said person with
disabilities are vessels that show God’s greatness and glory. We are Christ ambassadors on
earth”, del Rio pointed out. “My greatest dream is to see society’s transformative shift in
dealing with PWDs and to see my fellow PWDs able to assert themselves and be responsible at
the same time,” del Rio shared. He said that until government realizes its responsibilities to the
sector. “ By profession, Im a registered social worker. Part of social work is advocacy and
cmedia is a good channel to air your advocacies. That is why social work through media as a
perfect fit”. He said

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