ASP was invited by Sen. Peter Cayetano, Head of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture 2 fridays ago to be part of a Senate hearing on Senate Bills passed on Special Education. The invitation floored us. We were excited to get a chance to be heard. Heck! We were close to jumping!….Yet they gave us only 2 days notice to review all 20 Senate Bills and to prepare a position paper on the SB’s.
Our president, Dang Koe and I, had spilt the SB’s between us and made quick comments. Good thing that each SB’s was less than 10 pages and double-spaced at that. The evening before our schedule, the hearing was postponed because of a very controversial Senate Inquiry on a graft and corruption case. (Forgive me if I cdo not elaborate on that, as I really focus my attention more on immediate matters rather than negative issues.) We were relieved in a way because Dang and I wanted a bang-up presentation, video and all!
We were advised that nothing really happens to these hearings but just a lot of talk but we were determined to make a stand and let them know that there are a lot of imperative things that we wanted for the ASD community. A week passed but Dang and I were too busy to focus on the position paper. Me, I was busy being my son’s shadow teacher in school and Dang was attending the DAISY training the whole week. And yet again, they gave us another invite only 2 days prior. (I could just slap my head with how they schedule hearings and invite attendees. 
…Ok, so never mind the video.
Our Executive Director, Ranil Sorongon, had rushed compiling our comments into a position paper. I was tasked to review it as soon as it comes. It came around 9pm but I only got around to reading it at around 1:00 am. Very quickly I added a bit of meat into it with a touch of statistics from the US as we don’t have anything local. Did a bit of layout, too. All too quickly I guess as there were some typos that Dang saw before having them printed.
I came in with more than enough time to spare. Dang came with fellow trustees Tiffany Tan and Evelyn Go. I could feel their excitement when they arrived. We just couldn’t contain our passions and it was so obvious that we were greenhorns to this senate business because we were taking pictures like tourists. But heck! ASP is in the House!!!!! Well, actually the Senate. 
I wasn’t really thinking of speaking as I knew Dang as an accomplished presenter but I saw my name on table. It wasn’t necessary for me to speak but heck, this is my first chance to be here and who knows when will be the next one? I knew Dang wouldn’t mind if I added a sentence or too.
Campanero Peter was late from another hearing schedule that overflowed but we started immediately. The first to present their comments were the SpEd Division of the Deparment of Education. ASP was next. I could barely remember the rest of the hearing but fellow trustee Tiffany Tan who was in the audience will be writing a separate piece. I’m sure her account would be much better. I remember Dang and I starting off with shaky voices but we got comfortable not too far off.
The rest of it, I’m still trying to remember bits and pieces. Campanera Pia was late from another hearing yet when it was her turn to speak she asked the right questions and was quick to provide input. Special Ed was an area of concern for these political siblings as Pia had a special child who had already passed away. May I add that we couldn’t help but notice how statuesque and pretty she was? She projected to me as a woman who has got it all together.
After closing, she came up to us and exchanged calling cards. We felt so special. She invited us to her Pinay in Action run and Dang exchange notes on her brother Lino’s commercial on Autism (which unfortunately still remains to be aired). I’ll be honest that I prefer sprints as opposed to long distance running so I wasn’t too hot about going but it was a personal invite from the Campanera and so I couldn’t help but fluctuate.
Of course, we weren’t going to let the opportunity to have our pictures taken with them just pass us by. Heck! We also didn’t hesitate to have our photo taken with Sen. Zubiri who was just in the hallway. His tie matched my pashmina… hehehehe….
If we were any more giddier than we were at that time, we would have ran after Gringo Honasan who was getting in an elevator. That would have been hilarious!..Sheesh! I don’t even care about politics!
Before closing, Campanero Peter had stated that a Technical Working Group will be formed to help create a program for Special Ed, a wonderful opportunity to be able to come up with something more comprehensive than what we currently have and beef up awareness and acceptance campaigns.
All our inputs and ideas will be heard. I have a lot of things to say. Totally psyched! Wooohooo!!!
I do pray that our politicians go beyond promises to real action. Our kids are growing up fast and each day, there are more and more kids being diagnosed with autism in our country.
Hyprsts, any word on the revised magna carta for the disabled? When can we finally feel its effects in our lives?
Glad you enjoyed your Senate visit. You make us all proud!
What I realized from the hearing was tha the DepEd and DoH have a lot of work in getting the statistics. We have a lot of ideas but we will be forming focus group discussions from everyone (SP’s, OT’s parents, school and center owners and businesses) in determining what can be accommodated for everyone immediately.
As for the Magna Carta, we keep ourselves visible with NCPWD so that they keep us in the loop. But right now, it’s up to the Departments na eh. I have a feeling they will only accommodate up to the same level as senior citizens privileges for now. These forthcoming senate hearings are something to look forward to.
ASP was the only org present that had a position paper on the SpEd SB’s that day. Go figure!