Quezon City-based Camp Pag-ibig, a yearly Valentine’s Day gathering for children with special needs, will be a nationwide activity next year in celebration of its 40th anniversary.
This year, more than 2,000 children with special needs from public and private schools in the National Capital Region participated in the annual day camp at the Balara Filter Plant grounds in Quezon City .
During the opening of the 39th gathering, the organizers led by Congressman Jorge “Bolet” Banal, Jr., announced that the Quezon City government, Department of Education – NCR, Manila Water and Capitol Jaycees are now spearheading efforts for a nationwide adoption of Camp Pag-ibig, initially in Cebu City and Davao City .
At the 39th Camp Pag-ibig , Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, representing Mayor Herbert Bautista, congratulated the organizers for their continuing efforts to provide to children with special needs the opportunities to socialize and be part of the mainstream of society.
All schools divisions and special education schools in Metro Manila were represented in this year’s Camp Pag-ibig. The schools division of Antipolo City also actively participated in the day camp.
Congressman Bolet Banal is overall camp coordinator. His father, former QC councilor Jorge Banal, Sr., and Dr. Teresita Inciong, both representing the Philippine Association for Intellectual Disability (PAFID), are also actively spearheading efforts to promote Camp Pag-ibig as a multi-sectoral effort for the benefit of children with special needs, not only in the NCR but also in other regions.
At QC Hall, those actively involved in the day camp promotion are several departments and office, including the social services development department headed by Teresa Mariano and the public affairs and information services led by Greg Bañacia.
Camp Pag-ibig was launched in 1976 by the Philippine Association for the Retarded (now the PAFID) underthe leadership of then president Dr. Erlinda Lolarga.
Quezon City has been hosting the yearly activity since 1976.
Posted By: Edrillan Pasion
