PASAY CITY – The Philippines has become the first country in the Asia Pacific region to join the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion, following a landmark agreement between the Department of Education (DepEd) and Special Olympics Pilipinas.
The memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed at the Philippine School for the Deaf on Tuesday, marks a major step toward integrating inclusive sports in public schools nationwide.
It supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for equitable and quality education for all Filipinos.
“We are making history today,” said Education Secretary Sonny Angara. “Through unified sports, learners with and without intellectual disabilities will train and play side by side—without judgment, without discrimination.”
Over 30,000 learners with intellectual disabilities are expected to benefit from the initiative. The MOU also paves the way for the training of 2,000 DepEd teachers and staff, the hosting of inclusive sports events in pilot schools, and the engagement of at least 50,000 students.
Special Olympics Pilipinas Chairperson Akiko Thomson-Guevarra praised the partnership as a dream come true. “With this MOU, we’re finally ready to scale our programs nationwide. It’s both an exciting and daunting task,” she said.
Pilot programs have already been rolled out in Pasay, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Sta. Rosa, and Biñan, Laguna. Thomson-Guevarra encouraged school division offices to share best practices for broader implementation.
“This is inclusion in action,” she added. “And the benefits flow both ways—for all our youth.”
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