THE Widus Hotel and Casino has recently completed the rehabilitation of a school in Angeles City.
As part of their corporate social responsibility, Widus rehabilitated the Special Education Center of the Angeles City Elementary School. The hotel has spent close to a million peso to build better structural frames and put new roofing for the SPED Center’s play area.
Under Widus’ rehabilitation project, specialized tables and chairs were fabricated while classroom repairs, roofing, and repainting were also done.
Widus assistant vice president for engineering Mark Ratliff spearheaded the project, along with Fredmark Builders.
“We wanted to give back to the community that has given us so much. The Widus family holds great respect for the owner’s vision — allowing us to do such great things. We hope that in giving these children a little better environment will make a good difference in their future,” Ratliff said.
The SPED center, which has more than 300 students, specializes in teaching mentally and physically challenged students divided into five clusters including hearing impaired, visually impaired, intellectual disability, autism and learning disability.
“It has been our company mission and vision to give care beyond compare. Our goal this time is to extend that virtue to the wonderful children of Angeles Elementary School through helping uphold the education of the youth,” Widus marketing manager Sheryl Mamangun said.
One of the students’ parents thanked Widus for their rehabilitation project, saying that the school has been her daughter’s second home.
“My daughter learned to live a normal life here. She was born with Down syndrome which makes it difficult for her to mingle with other children. She was often bullied and discriminated. But, now, she can express herself better,” the parent said.
SPED teacher May Delfin also thanked Widus for their school project, saying that “students can now enjoy studying at a more comfortable learning space.”
Widus’ efforts to help improve the lives of kids with special needs has received citation from the local government and the Department of Tourism during the celebration of the 38th Philippine Persons with Disability Week on July 21.
“Widus is a blessing to the SPED school. The impact of Widus’ support would be felt not only by the school but also by the community,” DOT regional director Ronaldo Tiotuico said, adding that the hotel’s efforts would also help create awareness on the conditions of special children and PWDs in the country.