BAGUIO CITY – Officers and members of the Deaf Unity Association of Baguio City (DUABC) have been invited to join the “National Deaf Awareness Week” Basketball and Volleyball competitions slated on November 19 and 20 at the Centennial Arena in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
More than 200 participants are expected to join the annual mini-sports event from the various deaf organizations of North Luzon including Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, La Trinidad, Abra, Isabela, Tarlac City, Baguio City, the host city and province.
This year’s National Deaf Awareness Week is from November 14 to 20 in pursuance of Presidential Proclamation No. 829 aimed at promoting accessibility for the deaf and to have a barrier-free society for deaf people.
The activity also hopes to educate the public about their culture, equal treatment for the deaf and to develop the knowledge and skills of their community.
In a letter to Mayor Mauricio Domogan, DUABC president Grace Anne Pico is asking the city government to sponsor its athletes represented by the Baguio Sports Association of the Deaf (BSAD) to the tournament. The financial support will cover their registration, accommodation, transportation and uniforms.
She informed the local chief executive that the Baguio team was the champion in last year’s sports activity and is determined to defend the title this year.
“We come together in this event to collectively discuss and strategize responses to the current and future challenges confronting deaf communities across the region. Last year, your generous donation helped us a lot. We are grateful to you for making a big difference in our lives,” Pico’s letter to the Mayor stated.
The DUABC is non-stock, non-profit organization established in 2012 as a citywide association of the deaf with 40 members. It is affiliated with the Philippine Federation of the Deaf, Inc., the national organization of the deaf in the country.**gaby keith
