Special children join National Disability Week
LINGAYEN–Some 28 children with disabilities from the Mangaldan Integrated School (IS) Special Education (SPED) Center joined the simultaneous tree planting activity of the provincial government in celebration of the 35th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week from July 17 to 23.
Carrying this year’s theme “Building an Inclusive and Non-Handicapping Environment for Persons with Disabilities”, the Provincial Social and Welfare Office in coordination with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist distributed some 200 mango trees for the Mangaldan IS and Lingayen I Central School, two key pilot schools for Pangasinan I and II.
Considered as the first school in Pangasinan II that caters to special children with disabilities, Dr. Jupiter Petilla, school principal, and the teaching force of the SPED Center felt proud of their pupils as they rendered the opening prayer hymn using sign languages while the gifted and talented children led the singing of Pangasinan Hymn.
Established in year 2011, the Mangaldan IS SPED Center, now recognized by the Department of Education, has 28 special children with different disabilities like deaf and mute, autistic, cerebral palsy, mentally and visually-impaired, down syndrome, and attention-deficit hyperactive disorder or ADHD.
The celebration of National Disability Week aims to promote equal rights and opportunities for persons with disabilities and encourage them to take a pro-active role in nation building.
David P. Bulario, president of the Pangasinan Federation of Persons with Disabilities, said the inclusion of tree planting activity in the annual celebration of disability week is in support to President Aquino’s National Greening Program under Executive Order No. 26.
Also, Bulario thanked Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. for his support to the week-long activities which included the Special Education Provincial Convention on July 16 held at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen, Study Tour of SPED teachers, PWD leaders and other stakeholders at the Capitol Complex and Advocacy Forum with national agencies.
Other activities also include Literary, Musical Contest and Special sports competition and exhibition at SM Rosales and the launching of the PWD Cooperative in Anda, Pangasinan. (Merly R. Tibalao/PIO)
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