Approximately 600 registered attendees joined the 2020 Angels Walk for Autism, held jointly at SM City Olongapo Central and SM City Olongapo Downtown in celebration of the 24th National Autism Consciousness Week(NACW). Angels Walk is an annual event organized by the Autism Society Philippines (ASP) and SM Supermalls through the SM Cares program, aimed to raise awareness and promote acceptance, accommodation, and appreciation of persons with Autism.
Started in 2007, the Angels Walk has come a long way in raising awareness about autism and educating the public on how to deal with the condition.
This year’s activity, led by Autism Society Philippines (ASP) in partnership with SM malls in Olongapo, marked a shift in the advocacy to promote “appreciation” of people with autism particularly in Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan.
ASP president Atty. Soledad Santos expressed gratitude to SM for supporting ASP’s endeavor not only to Persons with Autism but to all the Persons with Disabilities. The ‘Angels Walk’ started in SM City Olongapo Downtown and ended in SM City Olongapo Central with a short program that showcased different talents of children with autism.
For the record, SM Supermalls has currently employed Persons with Disabilities in the mall. SM will continuously hire more PWDs in the coming months in and outside Metro Manila.