Octaviano: Never lose HOPE
MIRACLES happen every day. Never stop believing. Do not lose hope and have faith.
The H.O.P.E. Volunteers Foundation, Inc., together with Operation Smile Philippines, Provincial Government of Negros Occidental and Carl Balita Review Center (CBRC) Bacolod, continue to celebrate the cleft awareness month this July.
Volunteer reconstructive surgeons performed three operations this month, partnering with anesthesiologists. These surgical procedures are miracles. Giving children with cleft lip new smiles. God gives us these miracles. It has changed many lives for the better.
Coincidentally, Carl Balita Review Center is celebrating its 16th year this month, too. An activity was planned in collaboration with the Carl Balita Review Center (CBRC) Bacolod for the families with cleft children.
Carl E. Balita is a registered nurse, midwife, and professional teacher with Master of Arts degree and two doctoral degrees in Humanities and Education. He is also a writer, a broadcaster, and an entrepreneur. CBRC is one of his many ventures.
The Carl Balita Review Center is a centralized review center located in various regions in the Philippines, where its goal focuses on strengthening the knowledge and capability of students in certain PRC-licensed examinations in the Philippines like Nursing, Education, Criminology, and more. CBRC has 125 branches all over the Philippines including Bacolod. CBRC Bacolod started in 2014, managed and operated by EFO Consultancy and today, it continues to flourish.
Knowledge is important and is best shared by experts. HOPE and CBRC invited Atty. Sheryl Pacheco to talk about Republic Act 11650 or the Inclusive Education for Learners with Disabilities Act.” R.A. 11650 was signed by then President Rodrigo Duterte on March 11, 2022.
So, while, the parents and/or guardians listened to the speaker, the children were having fun attending a birthday party – CBRC’s 16th birthday.
R.A. 11650 : an act instituting a policy of inclusion and services for learners with disabilities in support of inclusive education, establishing inclusive learning resource centers of learning with disabilities in all school districts, municipalities, and cities, providing for standards, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes.
In short, this act shall be known as the “instituting a policy of inclusion and services for learners with disabilities in support of inclusive education act.”
These are the five points of R.A. 11650 as shared by E-Net Philippines:
• No learner with disability is deprived of the right to access to an inclusive, equitable, and quality education, and promote lifelong learning opportunities for them.
• The whole-of-community approach shall be adopted for the inclusion of learners with disabilities in the general education system and the community.
• The State shall support the diverse needs of learners with disabilities and promote and support provision of services that will facilitate their learning process.
• No learner with disability is deprived of protection and the right of access in the highest attainable standard of health care and rehabilitation services.
• The State guarantees the social protection of learners with disabilities and facilitates their active participation and inclusion in public, civil and State affairs.
Thus, according to an article online, this law will ensure learners with disabilities to have access to quality, accessible and inclusive education.
The law also encourages cities and municipalities to establish and maintain Inclusive Learning Resource Centers of Learners with Disabilities (ILRC) in support of their inclusion in the general education system. All existing SPED Centers shall be converted to ILRCs.
A multi-disciplinary team will be hired to provide overall health support and well-being of these learners.
The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) is still being established.
The talk ended with an open forum with Atty. Pacheco. Parents felt more positive for their children. Children were happy with their giveaways and prizes for the day. It was another wonderful day for everyone.
CBRC is open for inquiries in Facebook Page “CBRC Bacolod,” if you wish to enroll in their review classes.
HOPE actively implements its Cleft Rehabilitation Program through Speech Therapy and Evaluation, Psychosocial activities, and Family Support.
Patient recruitment is year-round. Monthly surgeries are booked, and a mission will be arranged soon. Please visit HOPE Volunteers Foundation, Inc.’s Facebook Page or office at Northpoint Building to register your child with cleft lip and/or cleft palate. HOPE and OSP will set an appointment to be screened and when cleared by a pediatrician, will be scheduled for surgery.*