More funds for SPED

Comment on the news item on today’s (June 21) issue at Education page: “Bill seeks more funds for Special Education Schools” by Christian Mendez:

Senator Alan Cayetano says he has proposed additional government financial assistance for the education of children with special needs from both national and local government units as well as from corporations doing corporate social responsibility programs.

These statements from the Senator are welcome indeed and if S.B. 3226 is acted upon soon, passed, and signed into law, the marginalized and disadvantaged “special” children, the autistic and afflicted with other developmental disorders from our poor families with meager income will surely benefit from the early detection and therapeutic intervention they badly need. Here in he Philippines, it is only the well-to-do families who can afford the expensive private SPED Clinics unlike in the United States where the government subsidizes these expenses for children with Special needs… I know this personally because I have two SPECIAL grandchildren in the U.S. who benefit from this, and I have our special grandchild here whose parents spend more than $20,000 monthly for his schooling and special therapies. Hence, my advocacy for, compassion, and grave concern for the CSN’s from our poor communities.

Senator Cayetano, Thank you! God bless you!