3rd Summer Camp of Youth and Children with Disabilities in Calbayog

The St. Camillus Socio Pastoral Office, the Liliane Foundation Philippines (LFP), and the Friends of the Sick-Camillian Family (FOTS-CF) organized the 3rd Summer Camp of Youth and Children with Disabilities last May 16-17, 2008 at the Blessed Enrico Rebuschini Formation Center, Brgy. Manguinoo, Calbayog City. This year’s theme was “Pagkaurosa Pagkiwa para sa Pagmangno san Kabataan nga may Kasampilan” (Unity in Action for the Care of Children with Disabilities). More than 100 LFP beneficiaries with their parents attended the two-day activity.

Highlights of the program were the talks of Most Rev. Isabelo C. Abarquez, DD, Bishop of Calbayog, who talked on the role of Church in response to the needs of PWD’s; Mrs. Tessie Q. Mumar, OIC of Calbayog City Social Welfare and Development Office who talked on their programs, services and updates for the PWD’s. She discussed the Republic Act No. 9447, an act amending R.A. No. 7277 – granting additional privileges and incentives and prohibitions of verbal, non-verbal ridicule and vilification of persons with disabilities. Under this act, PWDs have the opportunity to participate fully in the mainstream of society, improve their total well being, and enjoy the same rights as other people.  It also grants 20% discount on all basic services like transportation, medicines, hotels, restaurants, entertainment, etc..

Ms. Tess Dela Cruz, the National Correspondent of Liliane Foundation who talked about Executive Order No. 437 – Encouraging the implementation of Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) for persons with disabilities in the Philippines. Under this order, all local government units are encouraged to adopt the CBR program in delivering services to their constituents with disabilities and to allocate funds to support the program. With regard to this, the LFP personnel visited the LGU Calbayog-City Social Welfare and Development Office for the initial planning of CBR in Calbayog with the help of the foundation and St. Camillus Hospital.

Part of the program also was the Living Inspiration presentation by Fr. Jaime A. Roa, MD-MI.  This was about the story of Nick ,a differently-abled person from Australia.  Though without limbs, he was able to strive hard and live a normal life and inspire thousands of people around the world.

Group dynamics, socialization and games were also prepared by the facilitators to spice-up these activities, which ave the participants the chance to bond and show their talents in singing and dancing.

Again, the organizers are very thankful to the people who made this camp a success, to the speakers, the FOTS-CF volunteers, the Camillian Seminarians from Calbayog and, of course, to our sponsors, who continued to support the activities.