A SPECIAL educational assistance awaits the children of persons with disability (PWD) in Cebu City.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña made the pronouncement yesterday after a PWD father sought his assistance.

“We should do something more for PWDs. I realized that we’re not only making the PWDs suffer, but their children also. We might have to extend a special educational assistance for the children of PWDs,” he told reporters.

The plan, though, is still in its initial stage.

“I don’t know how we’ll formulate it, basta the direction is there. Let’s equalize the playing field,” Osmeña added.

Paralympic Games

In a related development, the mayor said that the City Government will extend assistance to a team of PWDs who represented Cebu City in the Philippine National Paralymic Games.

Team DATE (Differently Abled Talent Entertainment) was the city’s delegate to the sports event held in Marikina City last May 12 to 19.

It has nine members competing in different sports such as athletics, badminton, chess, swimming and table tennis.

The team bagged 12 gold medals, six silver medals and one bronze medal.

Councilor Jerry Guardo, deputy mayor for sports, said the feat will help encourage others to engage in sports activities.

He said he will also be drafting measures to help athletes representing the city, especially persons with special needs.

Sprinter Arman Dino, who won four gold medals, encouraged PWDs to break out of their comfort zones.

“Atong ipakita sa uban na kaya pud nato,” he said.

The team’s manager, Jocelyn Llesol, invited other PWDs to join them and be an inspiration to others.

“We hope they come out and show everyone that PWDs also have talents in sports. Ang PWDs man gud nato kay natago ba mao nga amo sila nga gi-encourage,” she said. (RTF)