A total of 1,856 learners with disabilities (LWDs) participated on Monday, Dec. 12, in the 17th Special Children (SPED) Holiday held at the Valenzuela City People’s Park Ampitheater.
The SPED Holiday is an annual Christmas and year-end event for the LWDs in Valenzuela City organized by the local government and the Division of City Schools-Valenzuela. It was temporarily halted for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the local government, the LWDs, together with their parents, participated in different activities that aims to develop trust, self confidence, personal and social skills, and other desirable values.
It added that the event also aims to foster friendship, teamwork, and understanding among the LWDs, special education teachers, therapists and advocates, and city and school officials.
Valenzuela City District 1 Rep. Rex Gatchalian thanked the parents of the LWDs for their continuous sacrifice in caring and supporting their special needs.
Meanwhile, Valenzuela City Mayor Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian expressed his eagerness to host the SPED event as it was the first time again since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Present at the event were Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja, Mrs. Tiffany Gatchalian, the mayor’s wife, Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Meliton Zurbano, and District Supervisor and ValSPED Administrator Dr. Ma. Teresita Pangan.