Support PWD athletes for int’l meet, City Council urges mayor

The City Council on Monday asked Mayor Lucilo Bayron to extend financial assistance to two “special needs” athletes from Puerto Princesa who will participate in this year’s 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games which will be Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in March.

In a resolution, the councilors endorsed the request for P100,000 financial assistance for the two athletes from the office of Mayor Bayron.

“Isang resolusyon po ang ipinasa natin na requesting Mayor Bayron for the City Government to shoulder the expenses for transportation of Ms. (Perlita) Teves and Mr. (Ryan Jay) Hasim in going to Abu Dhabi for the world competition. Mas maganda siguro na ‘yong pagbibigay ng pondo sa kanila sa transportation expenses kasi meron pong supporting documents bukod sa kanilang sulat [kay mayor],” Councilor Peter “Jimbo” Maristela said.

Veronica Bellica of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) said

Hasim plays Bocce while Teves plays track and field.

“We are only requesting help for the transportation expenses because other expenses will be shouldered by the organizers of the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games,” Bellica said.

Hasim and Teves won five gold medals each during the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) Ilocos Sur, which qualified them to the international meet.

“Sila po ay mayroong mga intellectual disabilities o special needs. Pumunta po kami dito sa inyo para suportahan ang ating mga atleta (They have intellectual disabilities or are special needs. We went here to request you all to help our athletes),” Bellica said.

Meanwhile, Angie Mendoza, director of the Special Olympics Philippines-Palawan said the two athletes show promise.

Mendoza expressed optimism that the city government will grant their request for financial assistance.

“Sa galing ng ating mga atleta with special needs, with intellectual disability. Napili silang dalawa maging delegate ng Philippine team for Abu Dhabi Special Olympics World Games (Our special needs athletes who have intellectual disabilities are very good in their sports. They were selected to participate in the Abu Dhabi Special Olympics World Games because of that),” she said.