For Every Disabled Child Matters

Picture saved in the folder) caption: Donation of stroller. (l to r) PNPAAAI Lakan Al Bigay, PSSUPT Cornelio Defensor (APPO), Dr. Felma Dela Cruz (AMS), STAC beneficiary mom and son Cesar Veloria, Ms. Megs S. Lunn (Koolearth Sec) and PNAPPAAI President Mr Wayne T. Malilay.

By: Megs S. Lunn

Kalibo, Aklan- July is National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation month. The Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center (STAC) Kalibo is celebrating it annually, every July 17-23, 2011. This year for the first time, Koolearth Inc. (KE) and Philippine National Police Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PNPAAAI) initiated the opening-salvo of the celebration.

KE and PNPAAAI collaborated with Aklan Provincial Police Office, Aklan Press Club, Inc., Aklan Medical Society and Allied Health Services, Philippine Dental Association – Aklan Chapter, Pharmaceuticals and Drugstore Association – Aklan Chapter, Rotary Club of Roxas and District 3850 Rotary International, Local Government Unit of Kalibo, Division D – Toastmasters International and some individual philanthropists in carrying out a very successful and worthwhile Medical and Dental Mission for our 130 special kids beneficiaries of STAC Kalibo, Banga, Malinao, Makato and Malay, last July 1, 2011 at the APPO Multi-purpose Hall, Camp Pastor Martelino, New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan.

People who have concerns with our special kids beneficiaries poured in help in terms of their expertise, medicines, food and commitment of time to serve the lowliest and the poorest in the community. For one, Atty. Clarence V. Guinto of Human Rights Affairs Office in Camp Crame, Manila, through his initiative, offered help to send PSI Anna Marie Cabasa, MD and PSI Michelle Daguno (MD) from Manila and the team from PNP Region VI – PSI Dexter Lopez (MD), PO3 Melvin Caldeo (MedTech) and PO2 Hitler Delorito, PCI Charlita A. Hontiveros and PI Jomar Cascano (Dentists of Capiz Health Service, Capiz PPO).

The Aklan PNP Sub-station of Kalibo, Banga, Malinao, Makato and Malay were in-charge of logistics in helping our patients and folks with no transportation. Likewise, Mayor John Yap of LGU Malay, Hon. Victor Garcia of SP Aklan, Cedric Sazon of Marzon’s Hotel, Capiz and Aklan Medical Representatives Association (CAMERA), Mia’s Drugstore, Rescate Drugstore, Bread and Butter, Mr. Berting Nakaya of Rotary Club of Kalibo, Jean’s Cakes and Pastries, Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils – Kalibo Branch, Dr. Barb Moyer of Uplift Internationale, Seafront Pizza, and Infant Jesus Academy Kalibo Family Council are one of the many benefactors that Koolearth and PNPAAAI have tapped to make this activity more significant.

Mr. Wayne T. Malilay, president of PNPAAAI in the province of Aklan said, “These are the kids that we need to serve, they deserve our help more than anything else.” While Mrs. Joanna Tay-Meren, manager of STAC – Kalibo was very grateful to the initiators of the project as this is the first time ever that STAC children benefited to the dental mission, too.

The Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center (STAC) – Kalibo and its satellite centers all over the province of Aklan offer free Rehabilitation services like Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy with Special Education (SPED) sessions, Parents’ Training Program (PTP), Barangay Health Workers (BHW) Training and other related services like Assistive Devices. In addition, they also offer Referral Services (medical/surgical), Family Support Programs like Services for Children with Disabilities (CWDs), Services for the Vulnerable Families of CWDs, and Special Support Services, too.

With the very limited municipal resources, the Local Government of Kalibo is sourcing out funds in order to respond to the needs of our poor children with disabilities. Therefore, NGOs like Koolearth, Inc. and PNPAAAI, Inc. are the ready-ones who will always be there for the children….FOR EVERY DISABLED CHILD MATTERS!/TE