Preparations are in full swing for the 39th Camp Pag-ibig , a multi-sectoral activity to provide children with special needs the opportunities to integrate and socialize into the mainstream of society.
This year’s Camp Pag-ibig, the 39th since 1976, will be held on February 15 at the Balara Filter Plant grounds in Quezon City . QC has been hosting the gathering since 1979 as a Valentine’s Day for children with special needs.
More then 2,000 children with special needs are expected to participate this year.
On orders of Mayor Herbert Bautista, QC Hall is providing a Php 450,000 fund to support the various programs and activities being prepared by the organizers for the day camp.
Spearheading the preparations are several QC Hall departments and offices, particularly the social service and development department headed by Teresa Mariano and the public affairs and information services office led by Greg Bañacia.
Leading the organizers are overall camp coordinator Congressman Jorge “Bolet” Banal, former QC councilor Jorge Banal Sr. and Dr. Teresita Inciong of the Philippine Association for Intellectual Disability, Inc. (PAFID).
Also actively involved in the preparations are representatives of the JCI QC Capitol, Manila Water Company, Department of Education-NCR, QC Division of City Schools and St. Catherine SPL Learning Center.
Meetings to finalize the plans for the day camp are held every Thursday at the Orosa Hall at the Balara campsite. There are also DepED –NCR meetings with SPED supervisors to be held every Friday.
The organizers expect these meetings to come up with new activities where every SPED child can participate.
The day camp activities for this year will include swimming, tree planting, handwashing and parents’ forum.
Camp Pag-ibig was launched in 1976 by the Philippine Association for the Retarded (now the PAFID) under the leadership of then president Dr. Erlinda Lolarga.
Posted By: Edrillan Pasion
