The Persons with Disability Affairs Division of the Governor’s Office (GO-PDAD), led by Ms. Venus Ruam-Cadabona, MBA, joined in the National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month celebration hosted by the Villaverde Central School SPED Center on March 3, 2025, with the theme “Improve Our Support Systems”. The event was sponsored by the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya, in partnership with several local and national organizations, including the Department of Education, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Lumabang Shriners Club, and the Rotary Club of Bayombong Capital, Nueva Vizcaya.
The celebration consisted of the distribution of gift packs to the SPED (special education) children of Villaverde Central School, particularly snack packs, vitamin packs, and educational supplies, in a display of generosity and support by the Lumabang Shriners Club and the Rotary Club of Bayombong Capital. The Villaverde Central School SPED Center opened and conducted the ceremony with gratitude for the provincial government and the sponsors’ involvement and support. The Lumabang Shriners also announced their intention to financially support a young individual with mobility issues through treatment during their speech.
In her speech and in later statements, PDAO Chief Venus Ruam-Cadabona emphasized the importance of raising awareness for Down Syndrome. “Children with Down Syndrome have also feelings and dreams in life. We recognize and highlight their positive achievements and do not underscore their disabilities. We want to nurture not just them but also their parents.”
Ms. Cadabona also acknowledged the invaluable support of the non-government organizations and people’s organizations in over three years of celebrating Down Syndrome Consciousness Month, thanking them for upholding the theme of ‘Improve our Support Systems’. “Strengthening their support aids us in giving and bringing welfare to the PWD sector.” She would touch upon not only the celebration of National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month but also National Women’s Month. “Women are part of the smallest unit of society, the family. If we make them progressive, if we develop them, it will eventually be cascaded to the community, to the town, to the country at large.”
Ms. Cadabona ended her speech by expressing the office’s gratitude toward Governor Jose V. Gambito for his continual support toward the PWD sector. “He has been very supportive of all the endeavors of this division.”
The successful celebration would not have been possible without the GO-PDAD’s collaboration with the Department of Education, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Rotary Club of Bayombong Capital, and Lumabang Shriners Club. Through the strengthened partnership of the provincial government with local, national, and international, and non-government organizations, more initiatives and provisions will be made not only for the betterment of people with disabilities but also for all the marginalized sectors of Nueva Vizcaya. /igmb
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