THE NATIONAL Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) and Parents Mobilization Action Group (PMAG) encouraged parents of children with disabilities to acknowledge their kids’ conditions.
Febe Lybai Matthews, PMAG president and NAPC-PWD sector council member, said some of the parents are still in denial of their children’s condition.
“We are really advocating those parents na lumabas, huwag na mahiya, dahil hindi sila nag-iisa sa mundong ito, huwag nilang ikahiya ‘yung anak nila na may disability. Kami sa government, ginahangyo namo ang mga developmental doctors na ibarato lang pud ang ilahang assessment kay dili man gud mi pwede nga kami lang mag-diagnose,” Matthews said.
Currently, Matthews said there are only 500-800 diagnosed cases of disabilities in the region and only about 100 diagnosed cases in Davao City, based on the based on the Department of Health XI and Autism Society Philippines’ data.
Some of these diagnosed disabilities were children with autism, down syndrome, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, blindness, and deformities, among others.
She also said they are still reaching out to other areas and pushing for more awareness of these conditions, as some of these disabilities are not seen physically.
In line with this, PMAG conducts an outreach program at Marilog Elementary School, for indigenous peoples’ children, especially those who have disabilities, through giving school supplies and other services.
