Group’s take on disabled: Not welfare case
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines—For Tonette Gomez and sister Claire Magtoto partnerships and partnering are lovely words.
In 20 years, the sisters realized that translating words into action could produce a wide network of groups and individuals that care for children and young people with disabilities.
“It’s about ‘tayo’ (us), not ‘kami’ (we),” Gomez said of the principle that has guided the work of the Inocencio Magtoto Memorial Foundation Inc. (IMMFI). The challenges of the sector are so many that one or two groups or a few people cannot do it alone, said Gomez, IMMFI program officer.
The Magtoto siblings have transformed the IMMFI from a family institution into a community organization. Representatives of various sectors in Pampanga now dominate its board.
It still lives out the ideals of the late Inocencio Magtoto who, because of his being born to a farmer’s family, helped the poor in quiet, undemanding ways.
The IMMFI has stopped regarding disability as a welfare issue. “Assisting the disabled is a development agenda, meaning they’re being helped because that is their right and their progress can contribute to community and nation building,” Gomez said.
What have been the results of partnerships and partnering? The board, in a report, said the IMMFI has put disability as a mainstream issue in the community.
For instance, the advocacy has prompted local governments to implement programs for people with disabilities.
The first public high school for the deaf in Central Luzon, which is based in Pampanga High School (PHS) here, is a product of the cooperation of Quota International, Franciscan Assistance Center for the Education of the Deaf, the IMMFI and the Department of Education under then Pampanga schools superintendent Elita Flor Umali.
PHS adopted the program after two years. It is called the PHS Special Education Class for the Hearing-Impaired.
In school year 2011-2012, the number of students rose to 42 from only 19 in 1995. Some of them have joined Technology and Livelihood Education classes for students with no disabilities.
They study cosmetology, information and communication technology, agriculture, culinary arts and automotive, according to Lyn Esguerra, program coordinator.
The class for three blind students began this year, with Kaye Bagang, who is also blind, as their teacher.
At least 25 deaf students are being trained to be teachers to fellow deaf on computer literacy all over Central Luzon. Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon
