By Cindy Ferrer/PNA
ILOILO CITY — About 30 children with disabilities on Monday showcased their talents, as the province conducted the first ever ‘Day with Children with Disabilities’ at the Casa Real Iloilo here.
“Involving this vulnerable sector will be a leap of opportunity for them to be given their right to participation and to increase the awareness of society to their situation and developmental needs,” Neneth Pador, head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), said in an interview.
Pador noted that children with disability have talents, wisdom and good outlook in life, which is why there is a need to appreciate them and provide them opportunity to showcase to the public what they have.
Some pupils from the various schools offering special education in the five districts of the province showcased their talents through dancing during the activity.
There were also short discussions to highlight the importance of special children from Abraham Imas, educational program supervisor for special education of the Department of Education (DepEd) Iloilo; and Jude Ryan Seares, federation manager of a non-government organization, CHILD initiative.
The highlight of the activity was a poster-making contest revolving around the theme, “My Ability is Greater than my Disability”, where 13 children showed their skills in art.
Meanwhile, Pador also recognized the heroic efforts of the parents, as well as caregivers and teachers of these children with disability in providing them their needs.
“Parents of children with special needs create their own world of happiness and believe things that others cannot see,” she said.
Pabor encouraged them to continue loving and supporting their children.
She also asked the children with disabilities not to be destroyed by the behaviors of other people, but focus on what they want to do in life.
“The world needs you too,” she said.
On Tuesday, the PSWDO will gather again about a hundred children from the province for the Children’s Congress to be held, also at the Capitol.
The activity is an annual event of the provincial government to also provide venue for children to showcase their talents.
The country is celebrating the 26th National Children’s Month this November.
