BY ALDRIN JAMES BOHOL, JADE GUMBAN & ROCHELLE ANN UBAUB/DNSC Interns
THE AUTISM Society Philippines (ASP) Davao Chapter held the Angels Walk for Autism on April 26, at the SM City Davao Annex Event Center, with the theme “AUMBITIOUS – Aarangkada. Aangat.”
ASP Davao president Uswaldo Parreñas led the annual event, which gathers families, advocates, and community members in a show of love and support for persons with autism.
“We stand together with one message, one purpose, and one shared hope. Filipinos on the autism spectrum—and the families who care for them—are reaching for the stars… with ambition, purpose, and contribution. But reaching for the stars does not happen by chance. It happens when we build a society that makes inclusion real,” Parreñas said.
The activity aimed to foster greater understanding and inclusion while pushing for positive change in how society views and supports individuals on the autism spectrum.
Councilor Antoinette Principe called for action over awareness and empowerment over sympathy, pushing for inclusive facilities while drawing from her experience as a mother of a child with special needs.
“This is precisely why I push for the establishment of the Davao City Special Needs Intervention Center for Children, not as a token project but as a commitment that no child, no family, and no individual should be left behind,” Principe said.
Meanwhile, Sinag ng Dabaw 2026 Christine Joy Bermudo highlighted in her speech that children with autism have unique potentials, unique strengths, and perspectives that deserve to be recognized and valued.
“As said, inclusion is not just an idea; it is our shared responsibility. That is why I hope to contribute to creating a community where individuals with autism are empowered to reach their full potential,” Bermudo emphasized.
This year, the event marked a major win: the Senate approved, on third reading, the National Autism Care, Support, and Inclusion Act (Senate Bill No. 1822) on March 9, 2026. The landmark law mandates national action on early detection, inclusive education, health services, and social protection for persons with autism. Still, advocates stressed urgent development needs remain.
