PAF Conducts Disability Awareness

“I was so surprised when an officer of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) gave me a call to seek assistance to conduct an awareness campaign for their personnel” shared Autism Society Philippines (ASP) Executive Director Ranilo Sorongon. The call came from a dad, Major Paulo Teodoro, the husband of a member of ASP Baguio City chapter and a father of a child with autism working at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

The first call was followed by more calls and meetings to discuss the concept and finalize the details of the activity. Director Sorongon visited Villamor Air Base and met with Col. Joseph Acosta, the Commanding Officer of the PAF General Hospital and Col. Normando Sta. Ana, Jr. , Chief Surgeon, PAF to orient them about ASP and the possible support that ASP will provide. Major Teodoro also met with Dr. Tippy Tanchanco, a Developmental Pediatrician at The Medical City to formalize her invitation as speaker. Director Sorongon gave brochures of AD/HD, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome and Autism to Maj. Teodoro to be distributed to the AFP personnel as part of the preparation of the activity.

Last April 13, 2011, the first Disability Awareness Campaign was conducted at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City sponsored by the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing of the PAF with the support of the PAF General Hospital in partnership with ASP. More than 170 personnel of the PAF and civilian employees attended the said activity. Dr. Tippy Tanchanco gave a lecture on the different developmental disabilities while Ms. Dang Koe, Chair Emeritus of ASP shared her family’s journey with autism and how she become an advocate not just for autism but for all persons with disabilities. Director Sorongon gave a lecture on Republic Act 9442 specifically on the discounts that Persons with Disabilities (PWD) are entitled. Of the 170 participants 55 signified their desire to have therapy clinic inside the PAF General Hospital to cater to the needs of the children with disabilities of its personnel and may be later on extend its services to the families residing at the vicinity of the base.

(from left) ASP Executive Director Ranil Sorongon, ASP Chair Emeritus Dang Koe and PAF Presidential Airlift Wing Major Paulo Teodoro

With the support of the Commanders of Villamor Air Base and the PAF hierarchy, Non Government Organizations, Parents Support Organization like ASP, the dream of Major Teodoro and other air force families affected with disabilities will soon become a reality.

ASP would like to commend Major Paulo Teodoro of the PAF Presidential Airlift Wing, Col. Alexander P. Bote, Wing Commander, PAW, Col. Joseph Acosta of the PAFGH and all the personnel of the PAF for the success of the trail blazing event. We hope that the other branches of the Arm Forces of the Philippines will follow the lead of the PAF.

With the PAF, children with disabilities will someday reach the sky!