29 January 2010
QC organizing annual Camp Pag-Ibig for special children
Some 2, 000 children with special needs are expected to participate in the city’s annual “Camp Pag-Ibig’’ project on Feb.14 at the Balara Filter Plant campsite in Diliman, Quezon City.
Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. cited the camp for being instrumental in providing “special children’’ the opportunity to integrate and socialize with other community members.
For the past 17 years the city government has hosted the day camp for children with extraordinary needs in a bid to make them useful members of the society.
This year’s “Camp Pag-Ibig’’ features various outdoor activities that will enhance the capability of the special children to become viable components of the neighborhood.
Councilor Jorge “Bolet’’ Banal Jr. of the city’s third district said that outdoor activities like nature exploration, games, arts, swimming, music and dancing are highlights of the day camp.
Celebrities will be invited to participate in the story-telling sessions where the focus will be on preserving the environment.
Organizers have invited a United States-based Filipino educator for the art workshops, Banal said.
The preparations of this year’s camp were spearheaded by Banal, former councilor Jorge Banal Sr., the Philippine Association for the Retarded Inc., the city’s social services and development department, Manila Water, Quezon City Capitol Jaycees, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the city’s division of city schools.
Earlier, the proposal granting sustainable program and other rightful privileges for them has been signed into a law in Quezon City.
The signing of the Quezon City Special Children’s ordinance authorizes the city to grant intellectually disabled children access to quality and specialized education and other related programs suited for them.
In signing the ordinance, Belmonte recognized the necessity to create measures to facilitate the integration process of the special children in the community.
By Chito A. Chavez
Manila Bulletin
January 27, 2010
