10 February 2017 MANILA — Assistant Secretary Hellen de la Vega of the Office of ASEAN Affairs led the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) contingent in the Angels’ Walk for Autism at the SM Mall of Asia on February 05.

More than 24,000 people joined the march from SM Arena to the SM Music Hall to raise awareness for persons with autism (PWA). 

Based on recent data, there are around 1.2 million PWA in the Philippines.

Asst. Secretary de la Vega spoke about the Department’s efforts in spreading awareness about autism, and protecting and promoting the rights of PWA during the opening ceremony.

She explained the importance of the early detection of autism so that interventions may be made at the soonest possible time. She also encouraged respect, and inclusion of PWAs in our communities, saying that “Persons with Autism are gifts from God.”

The Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP), a non-government organization, organized the event. The said event was supported bythe National Council on Disability Affairs, other national agencies and local governments, private partners, and other stakeholders.

The Philippines is the Chair of the ASEAN Autism Network this year, a party to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability, and is an active ASEAN Member Country that advocates respect for, protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disability (PWD), their integration and inclusion in society, and the recognition of their contributions to development and diversity. END