LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Benguet marked a milestone in education with the inauguration of its first-ever Inclusive Learning Resource Center (ILRC) in Wangal, La Trinidad recently.
The center aims to provide comprehensive services and support for learners with disabilities, offering various facilities to cater to their unique needs.
The ILRC features specialized rooms, including the Bread and Pastry Room for baking activities, which helps learners develop daily living and vocational skills, the Arts and Crafts Room which enhances fine motor skills through creative projects, and the Hydro Room that provides water therapy sessions for sensory and physical development.
Other facilities include a Management Area, Speech and Language Therapy Area, Bridging Area, Faculty Room, E-Library, Daily Living Skills Room for household chores training, ICT Room, and Occupational and Behavioral Service Area.
The center also offers Assessment Services to evaluate the needs of learners.
In his keynote speech, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara congratulated the educators and stakeholders behind the project.
“Congratulations to our regional director, schools division superintendent, and to our hardworking teachers. Alam ko it requires a lot of patience and a lot of training to work in this area so we thank you for your efforts,” he said.
He added that the center is a significant step toward making education more accessible to all learners and hopes that more centers such as the ILRC will be built soon.
Sec. Angara also donated laptops to the learners to help with their studies.
The ILRC is set to cater to learners across Benguet, with a multidisciplinary team expected to join and make the building fully functional. The team will assist teachers, SPED centers, and learners by providing specialized services.
“There are bright plans for the learners. Since it is a Benguet ILRC already, we’ll be expecting to cater to different learners coming from Benguet, and hopefully, the multidisciplinary team will be provided,” said the event focal person.
The center is a pilot project in the province, with hopes that its services will help fulfill the dreams of learners with disabilities for the current school year and beyond. By Blessah Joy Manuel
