“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.”
This is a strong and heartfelt statement by a remarkable leader in South Upi, a municipality of Maguindanao del Sur, that highlights a need for representation in social inclusion. Brian Tenorio is an accomplished PDAO (Persons with Disability Affairs Office) Officer who is 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 – focuses on promoting 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 Center Centre for Learning (ISCL) designed for TCES. His dedication to promoting inclusion for all learners is evident in what he has achieved 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 that would cater 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. In South Upi, a federation was also established to oversee the associations in 11 barangays. This serves the goal of representing persons with disabilities and providing them with a platform to participate in building disability-inclusive communities.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Social Services and Development continuously aids the barangay organizations 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 organizations to operate. The mayor of South Upi, Hon. Reynalbert Insular, shows committed, strong support for the sector, recognizing 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 isolated geographic location of the members – bringing concerns about poor signal for communication 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 the said concerns. 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,” the PDAO staff described.
(What I can say is really important, because those children… those with disabilities, they will no longer find it challenging to find their way, basically. Because they will know where their place in the community is and… for their peers, they will change their perspective.)
Brian also added that inclusive education at TCES paved the way to eliminate cases of bullying steadily. Through the success of the Inclusive Schools Approach or KaISA Project, it enabled 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,” he added.
(Having bullies cannot be avoided in schools… bullying is there – it cannot be avoided altogether.But when this [inclusive education campaign] came, things became better.)
Passionate to contribute, Brian joined multiple activities as a part of ISG since the ISA’s inception in 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 not only received support but also the other locals with disabilities. He believes that representation will go far for advocacies like inclusive education, which is especially true for the KaISA Project’s ISG, composed of representatives of marginalized 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 salipunan – may silbi kami,” Brian proudly expressed.
(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.)
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 entire 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 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.
