To provide a more inclusive public service for all, especially for the deaf community, the Pasig City government held its first-ever Deaf Sensitivity and Basic Filipino Sign Language (FSL) training for its frontline employees from various offices and departments.

Around 70 employees joined the training, which was led by City Human Resource Development Officer Elvira R. Flores at Room 201 of the Temporary Pasig City Hall on Tuesday, June 3.

In her remarks, Flores highlighted the importance and goals of the training, which centered on three key aspects: diversity, equality, and inclusivity.

She expressed hope that the participants would better understand these values through the training, enabling them to communicate more effectively with employees and clients, especially those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

To help with the training, resource persons from the Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf (MCCID) joined as speakers, including teacher and sign language interpreter Remberto “Jojo” Esposa Jr., along with deaf trainers Donne Ambrosio Roberto Dela Cruz, Catherine Jardiolin, and Rod Kevin Yparraguirre.

In the first part of the session, Esposa explained why learning sign language, especially FSL, is important. He said it helps people better understand the deaf community, provide proper support, and know the right ways to interact with those who have hearing disabilities.

He also shared effective ways of getting their attention, such as maintaining eye contact, gently tapping their shoulder, or switching lights on and off.

Meanwhile, the deaf trainers taught the participants FSL fingerspelling for the Filipino alphabet and numbers. They also demonstrated basic greetings and common signs used in everyday communication.

The speakers guided the employees in learning the sign language interpretation of the patriotic song “Pilipinas Kong Mahal.”