THE Philippine Sports Commission and the City of Cagayan De Oro on Thursday agreed to stage yearly the government sports agency’s grassroots sports development program for young kids with disabilities in a well-attended press conference of the “Differently-Abled Sports 4 LIFE” Paragames held at Seda Centrio Hotel.
PSC Commissioner Arnold Agustin and Cagayan De Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno mutually agreed to continue staging the program that is only on its pilot stage out of the city’s priority for the marginalized kids.
“Our focus on young kids with disabilities is one area in sports that needs more priority, kaya po noong makita ko ang sulat mula sa PSC about their ParaGames ay inaprubahan ko agad. They are on top of our agenda because special class sila. We are seeing now a transformation from our social services to being service providers for the kids,” said Moreno.
Agustin and Moreno’s agreement was witness by Ma. Liza Corpz, CDO PDAO Chief; City Councilor John Michael Seno, Department of Education Senior Division Superintendent Jonathan Dela Peña, PH.D, Xavier School Vice President for Mission and Ministry Irene Guitarte, SPED Coordinator Shirley Merida, DSWD Executive Secretary Michael Christopher Hamello and PWD Council chairman Ronaldo Damaldao together with media that attended.
“This is one historical moment and partnership with PSC, CDO and PWDs. Sports is most important in nation building and the program does not only provide opportunities for our PWDs, but it also includes them in the development. Itong programa na ito is more than just a program. It is a real bridge for our young PWDs in nation building,” adds Moreno.
“I assure you, regular na kami dito na magsasagawa ng mga games para sa PWDs,” said Agustin.
Moreno hinted that CDO has the most organized groups and coordination when it comes to persons with disabilities. As such, the local government unit put them on top of the city’s agenda and will build a state-of-the-art SPED Center that will be used as the center of its mission to hone and develop future national athletes.
There are around 900 differently-abled students from all over the city but only 200 are set to participate in six sports and fun activities serving as grassroots sports development program of the agency, in coordination with Department of Education Division of Cagayan de Oro.