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Official Publication of the Philippine Information Agency Bicol Regional Office, in cooperation with the RIAC-REDIRAS - RDC Bicol



Thursday, January 22, 2015

PDAO takes part in celebrating National Autism Week

NAGA CITY, Jan. 22 (PIA) --- Special activities were lined up here before the end of the month in celebration of the 19th National Autism Week slated from January 25 to 31.

One of the organizations spearheading the activity is the Persons with Disability Office (PDAO) under the headship of its Officer-in-Charge Christopher Molin.   PDAO also serves as the City Government’s partner in enhancing the policies for Persons with Disability (PWDs), including the assurance that its initiatives will be realized.

PDAO was created by City Councilor Nathan Sergio, Chair of the Committee on Persons with Disabilities of the Sangguniang Panglungsod by virtue of City Ordinance No. 2010-039.

 “The city government through PDAO understands the importance of working with organizations in the autism community. We are much more than willing to extend any kind of help that the government can extend to help them uplift the life and condition of persons with autism”, Molin said in an interview.

On January 23, the Department of Education (DepEd) particularly faculty members handing children with autism will kick off  the celebration with a pre-opening program at the Naga Central II-SPED Center. A showcase of various artworks of students will be featured in their mini exhibit. Developmental games will also be conducted to strengthen camaraderie and sportsmanship amongst the participants.

 On Sunday, everyone is enjoined to join the Angel’s Walk sponsored by the Autism Society- Naga Chapter.  The walk will commence at the Plaza Rizal at around 6am and will wind up at SM City Naga.  This will be followed by a Community mass from 9 until 10 in the morning through the City Government of Naga under the auspices of Mayor John G. Bongat.

 Special Education (SPED) Schools from various parts of Bicol Region will also take part in the Get Up-AU program and will culminate through the Signing at the Commitment Wall, including the “Isang Bansa, Isang Pangako” Campaign which will specifically address the need of persons affected with autism to be understood.

Molin stated that the pledge intends to make people understand that autism is not a laughing matter and that people afflicted with it should be respected and understood in their own language.

 “People with autism have their own God-given talents, just like all of us. They should not be judged or laughed at just because they are special.  We should also continually challenge ourselves to communicate with them and make them feel that we all part of one community.”

Autism as defined is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a child’s ability to express himself greatly affecting his verbal and non-verbal communication, oftentimes resulting to a compromised social interaction. There are approaches now being undertaken by various SPED schools to make children with autism see their own strengths and the gift within themselves.

The celebration’s culminating activity will be a tree planting program dubbed “Tanom Para sa Kaakian” at the outskirts of Panicuason, Naga City on February 1. Spearheading the activity is the Naga City SPED Center (NCSC) Faculty members, parents, Autism Society – Naga City Chapter, LGU Naga and other stakeholders. (LSMacatangay, PIAV/Camarines Sur)

 - See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/861421896911/pdao-takes-part-in-celebrating-national-autism-week#sthash.yxXbgQhO.dpuf

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