Kuwentong PagkakaISA: A Trailblazer for the Disability Sector in South Upi
By The Teacher’s Gallery, Vincent Kynth Baliguat
“We are also included in the community. Just because we have disabilities does not mean that we will be left out — it is not like that. We also have worth in society — we are valued.” -Brian Tenorio
This strong and heartfelt statement by a remarkable leader in South Upi, a municipality of Maguindanao del Sur highlights a need for representation in social inclusion. Brian Tenorio is an accomplished PDAO (Persons with Disability Affairs Office) Officer dedicated to addressing the barriers to education that people with disabilities like him experience.
South Upi, a tri-people community — the Indigenous Peoples, Christians, and Moros — promotes social inclusion, particularly in education. Brian Tenorio, a member of the Inclusion Support Group (ISG) of Timanan Central Elementary School (TCES), participates in leading the implementation of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE)-led Inclusive Schools Approach supported by the Australian Government for learners with disabilities at the pilot Inclusive and Supportive Centre for Learning (ISCL) designed for TCES. His dedication to promoting inclusion for all learners is evident in his achievements in promoting inclusive education and supporting the development and implementation of inclusive practices in South Upi.
An empowered leader empowers others
From a simple living, Brian Tenorio began his humble beginnings in serving the disability sector by being part of the PDAO South Upi staff in August 2021. This position empowered him to implement what he knew and to concretely make a change for the sector. Among his responsibilities was designing programs catering to the needs of people with disabilities. One of these interventions that PDAO South Upi implemented was establishing associations for people with disabilities per barangay, with Brian as the current president of his barangay. South Upi established a federation tooversee the associations in 11 barangays. This federation aims to represent persons with disabilities and provide them with a platform to participate in building disability-inclusive communities.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) continuously aids the barangay oganisations through the PDAO with the needs of people with disabilities such as assistive furniture and devices. The assistance provided by the South Upi local government unit (LGU) helps the organisations to operate. The mayor of South Upi, Hon. Reynalbert Insular, shows committed, strong support for the sector, recognising the importance of providing for the needs of all underrepresented sectors in South Upi to make social inclusion a reality.
Even with the services provided, one of the obstacles that PDAO continuously mitigates is the members’ isolated geographic location. , This raises concerns about poor communication signals and rough roads unsuitable for people with difficulty in mobility. Brian stated that if there is a meeting with other barangay officers with disabilities, they cannot attend due to these issues. Setbacks like this did not stop Brian from continuing his campaign to empower people with disabilities.
Representation in breaking the exclusivity chain
Brian Tenorio firmly believes in the concept of inclusivity in schools. The inclusion of learners with disabilities with other classmates in the school through mainstreaming with appropriate teaching strategies and fostering inclusive learning environments disintegrates the understanding of exclusion and enhances acceptance and respect amidst differences.
“Masasabi kong mahalaga talaga, kasi ‘yong mga bata,’yong may mga kapansanan na [may disability], ‘di na sila mahirapan na maghanap ng kanilang way, kumbaga. Kasi alam na nila kung saan sila lumugar at tsaka… doon sa mga kasamahan nila na parang maiba ‘yong [perspective] nila (What I can say is important, because those children with disabilities, will basically no longer find it challenging to find their way. Because they will know their place in the community and for their peers, they will change their perspective),” the PDAO staff described.
Brian also added that inclusive education at TCES paved the way for the steady elimination of bullying cases. The success of the Inclusive Schools Approach or KaISA Projectenabled the children to accept all types of learners in the school; hence, he endorsed this campaign.
“‘Di natin maiwasan ‘yong bully [sa school], andiyan ‘yong bullying — ‘di talaga ‘yan maiwasan. Pero sa dumating ito [inclusive education campaign], medyo okay-okay (Having bullies cannot be avoided in schools,bullying is there and cannot be avoided altogether. But when this [inclusive education campaign] came, things became better),” he added.
Passionate to contribute, Brian joined multiple activities as a part of ISG since the inclusive schools approach’s (ISA) inception at Timanan Central Elementary School. His insights helped to create a hub and referral systems appropriate for his sector. Brian Tenorio treasures the help provided by various stakeholders that received support and the other locals with disabilities. He believes representation will go far for advocacies like inclusive education, especially for the KaISA Project’s ISG, composed of representatives of marginalised sectors to provide insight and experiences on what inclusion is.
“Kasali rin kami sa community. Hindi kami… porke’t may kapansanan kami, naiwan kami — hindi ganon. May halaga pala kami sa lipunan — may silbi kami (We are also included in the community. Just because we have disabilities does not mean that we will be left out — it is not like that. We have worth in society — we are valued),” Brian proudly expressed.
For the pilot ISCL in TCES, Brian reflects on its potential impact on the school community of South Upi. Apart from that, the systemic approach such as referral systems will ensure that the needs of all learners are addressed and met.
ISCL as an avenue to pursuing education
Brian reflects that for BARMM, the ISCL will be an opportunity for all to learn. He looks forward to the ISA campaign continuing and being sustained far into the future — not just in South Upi, but for all learners in the region who want to learn and access quality education. As a result, he anticipates that through this effort of the MBHTE, no child shall be left behind in making inclusive education happen.
He is KaISA, too, for all the efforts that lead to disability-inclusive communities in BARMM. With this, Brian encourages everyone to learn more and support the KaISA Project and the initiative to create ISCLs.