DepEd urged to familiarize students with Philippine heroes

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education should intensify its efforts to make young people aware of the country’s heroes and their stories.

In his speech at the Apolinario Mabini Awards, President Aquino cited the Facebook post of actor Epy Quizon, who played the role of Mabini in the movie “Heneral Luna,” about a group of college students who asked him why his character never stood up in the film.

The President also cited one of the comments that Mabini was probably just too tired.

Aquino said he could only shake his head when informed about this, which reflected the youth’s poor grasp of history.

The President said he would ask Education Secretary Armin Luistro to address the issue.

Aquino said it is timely to look back at the life of Mabini, who represented the brilliance and resolve of the Filipino race during the revolution.

He said Mabini’s strongest weapon was his sharp mind, which strengthened the foundation of the country’s democracy and its institutions.

The President said Mabini made people aware that the fate of the nation did not lie only with the people in power.

Mabini awards

To mark Mabini’s 151st birth anniversary, another group of persons with disabilities (PWDs) were recognized for their achievements.

Engineer Darlito Palermo received the Mabini Presidential Award while a special award was given to Randy Weisser. SM Cares Program on Disability Affairs was hall of fame awardee.

The Rehabilitation Volunteer of the Year was awarded to the Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine and a special award conferred on Annette Lee-Esparaz.

Aquino cited Weisser for taking care of and guiding blind people for the last 26 years to enhance their potential and abilities.

The President said Palermo was admirable because his condition did not prevent him from fulfilling his dream to become an engineer.

“He was the first PWD youth leader in Agdao, Davao City. We also salute Miss Annette Lee Esparaz, co-author of ‘TouchBooks’ – the first picture book for visually impaired Filipino students,” Aquino said.

Liwanag Caldito was named PWD Filipino of the Year while a special award was given to Victor Francesco Cham.

The PWD Group of the Year was awarded to the Association of Differently Abled Persons and a special award was given to Las Piñas PWD Federation AD/HD Society of the Philippines.

The Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine had been assisting 250,000 PWDs and providing funding programs for the rehabilitation of Filipinos in need.

Inspiration

The President said the awardees were a guiding light and inspiration to many Filipinos.

He cited the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled Inc. as a partner in achieving transformation.

Aquino said he is hoping for an intensified implementation of Republic Act 10366 which he signed in 2013 that tasked the Commission on Elections to establish areas that would facilitate voting for PWDs and senior citizens.

Gov’t programs for PWDs

He said 217,359 PWDs were covered by the conditional cash transfer program, while a program called “Tuloy Aral, Walang Sagabal” ensures that young people with disabilities could be accommodated in schools and daycare centers.

In 2014, Aquino said 3,380 children with disabilities had been assisted under the program while skills training for employment, job referrals, capital assistance and access to financing were also being provided to the PWDs.

Other awardees

Local government units of the year were Asingan, Pangasinan and Guimbal in Iloilo; Dasmariñas in Cavite and Barangay Sto. Cristo in Quezon City. Carmona, Cavite got a special award.

ANZ Global Services and Operations Inc. was employer of the year while a special award was conferred on Unilab Foundation.

The Disabled-Friendly Establishment of the Year in compliance with Batas Pambansa Bilang 44 or An Act to Enhance the Mobility of Disabled Persons were Holiday Inn and Suites (silver), SM Supermalls (SM Aura, silver and SM City Clark, bronze), SM Market (Makati Supermarket, Tarlac Supermarket, Mezza Savemore, bronze), SM Department Store (North EDSA, Cauayan, Bacolod, Parañaque BF Homes, bronze) and SM Supermalls Pampanga (special award).

Ayala Land (Cebu Center Annex, Fairview Terraces, UP Town Center, bronze), Robinsons Place (Calasiao Mall, Las Piñas Mall, Palawan Mall) Jones Lang Lasalle Philippines (Panorama Tower) and Jones Lang Lasalle Management, JP Morgan Chase Building (eBloc Cebu, Net Quad Taguig) and Bonifacio Global City Estate were the other awardees.

The Media Advocate of the Year was Myrna Medina and University of Asia and the Pacific-Manila Archdiocese for Government Service were given special awards.