TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte – Engr. Darlito S. Palermo, a disability advocate, social entrepreneur, and President of the Kalipunan ng mga Tagapaglikha para sa Katatagan ng Komunidad INC., has been named the 2026 Extraordinary Filipinos with Disabilities Awardee in the Entrepreneur with Disability category during the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) Biennial Recognition Awards Program (BRAP) 2026. The prestigious national recognition honors his outstanding leadership in promoting inclusive entrepreneurship, sustainable livelihoods, and community empowerment for persons with disabilities. Through years of dedicated service, Palermo has transformed challenges into opportunities by creating innovative livelihood programs that improve the lives of persons with disabilities while contributing to environmental protection and local economic development.

Palermo’s most significant achievements include the establishment of a 1,000-square-meter PWD Livelihood Center in Tagum City, where persons with disabilities receive training and employment in nursery management, tree cloning, rattan craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and digital marketing. The center produces indigenous tree seedlings that support environmental restoration and the Enhanced National Greening Program of DENR while also manufacturing home décor, furniture, and innovative rattan wheelchairs designed for children with disabilities. By combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology and digital marketing, his initiatives have opened new income opportunities and strengthened the participation of persons with disabilities in sustainable enterprise.

Receiving the Extraordinary Filipinos with Disabilities Award highlights Palermo’s unwavering commitment to proving that persons with disabilities are capable leaders, innovators, and nation-builders. His pioneering programs have inspired communities across Region XI and have benefited not only PWDs but also farmers, Indigenous Peoples, fisherfolk, and other marginalized sectors through inclusive livelihood and environmental initiatives. As his advocacy continues to expand, Palermo remains a powerful example that disability is not a barrier but a source of strength, innovation, and positive social change, inspiring a more inclusive and empowered Philippines.