BACOLOD City – The Cadiz City Government in Negros Occidental has started institutionalizing sign language within city hall as part of its inclusivity thrust to cater deaf mute clients.
Part of the endeavor aimed at positioning Cadiz as the first fully deaf mute-friendly locality in the province was the two-day training program on Filipino Sign Language held at Balay Cadiznon last week.
The training was initiated by focal person Al James Madrid of the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), who hoped that such will spell a lot of goodness and positivity for Cadiz’s quest to be a deaf mute-friendly community soonest.
A total of 80 participants, including the city department heads and employees, were trained on the basic sign language techniques, equipping them with necessary skills in order to effectively communicate with the deaf mute people coming in at city hall.
These techniques included learning the alphabet, fingerspelling as well as use of facial expression
Participants also learned theoretical knowledge and practical skills for communicating with hard of hearing individuals.
Professional interpreters Joan Briones and Cecilia “Cici” Villacin served as trainers.
Briones’ husband is a deaf mute per se while Cadiz native Villacin, the first MassKara Queen in Bacolod City, is a deaf mute herself.
Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. said institutionalizing sign language as part of the city government’s thrust in furthering inclusivity is “noblest” in sense and essence.
“Really, this is heart-warming to note. And we find it necessary to implement, considering the growing number of deaf mute people not just in Cadiz but in other localities as well,” he said.
At present, there are 119 deaf mute people in Cadiz being taken care of by PDAO.
“Now, it’s [sign language] a must even in our daily dealings at city hall. We need to be friendly with anyone else, including with persons with disability, especially those in the category of deaf mute,” the mayor said.
He added: “Let them [deaf mute people] feel that they really have a ‘special place’ in our local governance.”/PN
