The Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) of the Municipality of Carmona, Cavite, together with Autism Society Philippines, celebrated Universal Children’s Month on 19 October 2012 at the Penthouse of the Carmona Municipal Hall.
Universal Children’s Month is observed every October, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 267 in observance of United Nations declarations.
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Ranilo Sorongon receives a certificate |
Parents of children with special needs participated in this celebration, whose highlights included the orientation to the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the forging of the partnership between ASP and the Municipal Government of Carmona for ASP’s project, titled “Educating Children with Disabilities of Their Rights Using Digital Talking Books.”
In line with this project, funded by by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), a memorandum of agreement formally declaring the two groups’ partnership was made between the Municipality of Carmona, represented by Mayor Dahlia Loyola, and ASP, represented by Executive Director Ranil Sorongon.
It was during this celebration that Mr. Sorongon discussed with the parents who attended the activity on their children’s rights, the privileges that are offered to them and their children with disabilities, as mandated by law. Also, the parents made a promise together to help stop the inappropriate use of the word “autistic” as a slur, in line with ASP’s recent campaign named Isang Pangako (1Pangako).
The Municipality of Carmona has been among ASP’s most valued partners in awareness and advocacy for persons with autism and other special needs. Among their most recent activities included the 5th Regional Conference on Autism, held in partnership with ASP Cavite Chapters on 8-9 September 2012 at the San Lazaro Leisure and Business Park, where Mayor Dahlia discussed to the conference delegates the achievements of the PDAO in supporting their constituents with disabilities, and introducing a paradigm of community-based rehabilitation for other local government units to emulate.
ASP looks forward to introduce this and other endeavors to other local government units, which in the long run will help educate children with disabilities of their rights and become fully functional members of our society.
This article is a contribution from Gerard Joseph Atienza, Secretary, ASP Bacoor Chapter.
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