Quezon City Ordinance No. 1915

By: Tiffany Tan, ASP Board Secretary

Quezon City Ordinance No. 1915 is also known as the Ordinance Establishing a Sustainable Program for Children with Special Needs in Quezon City, for the Purpose of Appropriating the Necessary Funds Therefore.

“This is a breakthrough ordinance. This is the first time that a measure of this importance has been approved in the country,’’ said Congressman-elect Sonny Belmonte (QC Fourth District).

Members of the ASP National, ASP Diliman and ASP Lagro Chapter, officers, members and children with autism witnessed the signing of the ordinance last April 2, 2009.

ASP Board of Trustees, ASP Diliman and Lagro Chapter representative with CWA witness
the signing of Ordinance 1915 with (seated from right) Congressman-elect Jorge “Bolet” Banal,
re-elected Councilor Jesus “Bong” Suntay & Congressman-elect Sonny Belmonte

Congressman-elect Jorge “Bolet” Banal of District 3 and co-author, re-elected Councilor Jesus “Bong” Suntay of District 4 specifically chose World Autism Awareness day for the ordinance to be signed.

Batas Pambansa 232 or the Special Education Act of 1972 recognizes the State’s responsibility to provide special education services within the formal school system and emphasizes the right of every individual to relevant quality education regardless of one’s physical or mental conditions.

The ordinance will provide for the necessary facilities for the special children and hiring of additional technically skilled teachers and trained workers who can comprehensively effectuate the subject of this measure. (Currently there are about 120 SPED teachers employed by the QC government.)

Other provisions include free educational intervention with rehabilitation and counseling services, establishment of special coordinating day care centers for all special children in the four districts, mainstreaming pre-school CWD for integration into regular classes.

Family members will be motivated to actively participate in the rehab activities of their children or siblings by providing them opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills in assisting PWDs. This will be made possible through close collaboration with SPED workers and caregivers.

Public awareness through advocacy and networking; support in mainstreaming into the community life activities will also be supervised by the administrative agency who shall oversee the proper implementation of the provisions of this ordinance.

=========

ASP continues to work hard to keep members informed on PWD rights and privileges. Are you an Autism Angel? Write your congressmen to enact more laws for people with autism. For more information call 7-903-5496 or email us at autismphils@gmail.com.