Sen. Aquino Visits Deaf School in Cebu

Senator Bam Aquino on Saturday last week, visited First High School for the Hearing-Impaired in Macopa St., Basak, Cebu City for the school’s Brigada Eskwela, in cooperation with GVSP, a non-stock, non-profit organization working with the Deaf community for a Deaf-Inclusive Filipino Society.

Senator Aquino extended help to GVSP’s efforts to renovate the school. Last February, Aquino visited the school for the deaf children, but when school principal, Jose Olivo, approached him to ask for a school building, the senator declined because the senator no longer has his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

However, Aquino still extended help through another program. “Concerned jud siya sa deaf,” (He’s really concerned with the children) Olivo said. Aquino’s ongoing project with the school includes the repainting of its fence and gate, and repairs for the school’s function room, audio-visual room and dormitory. For now, 47 deaf students from first year to fourth year level and seven teachers are the beneficiaries of Aquino’s project.

Senator Paolo Benigno ‘Bam’ Aquino IV helps repaint the school’s gate and fence on his visit at First High School for the Hearing-Impaired in Macopa St., Basak, Cebu City on Saturday for the Brigada-Eskwela. (Photo by Alni Emphasis)

Olivo added that because of the project, these students will be motivated to study harder, given that they have a special curriculum. This special curriculum includes the basic subjects with additional skills training like carpentry, cooking, housekeeping and computer repairs.

“Dapat focus sila sa skills… impraktikal na nila na mo-college pa,” (They have to focus on the skills training, it is impractical for them to go to college ) Olivo said.

In February this year, the GVSP was awarded one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations given by the National Youth Commission for their project: Break the Silence. Its work, aside from training and forming volunteers here and abroad to serve the disadvantaged, also involves advocacy campaigns against the increasing abuses committed against deaf children and women.

Photo above: Aquino poses with the children-beneficiaries and staff of the First High School for the Hearing-Impaired.