By DANIEL P. TAPAOAN, JR.

The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and the Department of Education (DepEd)-Schools Division of Ilocos Norte have agreed to implement a community-based rehabilitation project among the differently-abled children of the Florentino Camaquin Integrated School (FCIS) in Vintar, Ilocos Norte.

This project, dubbed “Care, Build, and Reach (CBR) Vintar,” aims to provide rehabilitation and physical therapy services to the students enrolled at the Special Education Resource Center of the FCIS. 

This extension project was formally launched last July 22 at FCIS through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed by Schools Division Superintendent Joann A. Corpuz and MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis. MMSU Extension Director Aris Reynold V. Cajigal represented the university president in the project launching.

Spearheaded by the Department of Physical Therapy of the MMSU College of Health Sciences (CHS), the CBR Vintar project also includes health and wellness promotion strategies, and disability inclusive activities. 

In the MOA, the MMSU shall provide the manpower and expertise for the implementation of the activities at the FCIS resource center. It shall also create a committee that will manage the project; and develop a system for the referral of students with disabilities to the proper service, organization, or professionals.

On the other hand, the DepEd-Ilocos Norte, through the FCIS, shall shoulder the funding of the venue for the project site, transportation, consumable and non-consumable supplies and materials, equipment for the audio-visual presentations, as well as food and beverages.

It also help in organizing the list of beneficiaries in the local government unit of Vintar by order of priority through the municipal social welfare and development office, and help in the dissemination of information regarding the services offered by the project. 

The program launching was witnessed by Arnel C. Sabuco Jr., FCIS principal; Vintar Mayor Larisa C. Foronda; Dr. Cheryll Didi Nellie N. Obra, leader of the CBR project; the faculty members of the MMSU-PT department; and the FCIS community. (StratCom)