President Benigno Aquino III. AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III on Friday spent the eve of his 54th birthday by visiting a government-run facility for persons with special needs in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
The President motored to the Elsie Gaches Village (EGV), a facility run by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for persons with learning or development disabilities, on Friday afternoon to speak at its 50th anniversary.
The EGV was founded by American couple Samuel and Elsie Gaches, who donated their 16-hectare summer villa to the government on Feb. 3, 1964, so it could be used as an asylum for the sick, aged and handicapped.
Mr. Aquino praised the EGV officials, benefactors, donors and stakeholders for serving two generations of Filipinos.
He also congratulated them for finishing first runner-up in the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Football Tournament in Newcastle, Australia, in December 2013.
“In the end, it’s clear what kind of culture we’re promoting: We’re one community that treats everyone equally; one society where no one is left behind, no one is ignored, no one is set aside,” he said in his speech aired over government-run dzRB.
EGV, staffed by social workers, psychologists, doctors, nurses, teachers, house parents and therapists, is serving 500 clients at present.
The President said the government has raised the DSWD’s budget for EGV from P21 million in the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 to P26.4 million in 2014.
“An institution like the Elsie Gaches Village with a noble purpose deserves appropriate support from the government,” he said.
Today, the bachelor President said he would spend his birthday with his family and close friends.
“After that, I will pray. ‘Thank you for the 54 years’ and also for all the things that we’re aspiring for, especially better communities, more resilient to disasters especially given that there are so many disasters that are still visiting our shores,” he said.
Pressed on his plans for Valentine’s Day, Mr. Aquino said he would merely ensure that the capital and the rest of the country would be “peaceful” for couples dating on that day.