Cadiz City has begun institutionalizing sign language at city hall as part of its drive for inclusivity and to better serve deaf-mute clients.
The initiative included a two-day training program on Filipino Sign Language held at Balay Cadiznon on Nov. 25 and 26. The program aimed to position Cadiz as the first fully deaf-mute-friendly locality in Negros Occidental.
A total of 80 participants, including city department heads and employees, were trained in basic sign language techniques, such as learning the alphabet, fingerspelling, and using facial expressions. They also acquired theoretical knowledge and practical skills for effectively communicating with hard-of-hearing individuals.
The trainers for the program were professional interpreters Joan Briones and Cecilia “Cici” Villacin. Briones’ husband is deaf-mute, while Villacin, a Cadiz native and the first MassKara Queen of Bacolod City, is deaf-mute herself.
Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. described the program as a noble effort to make Cadiz City a more inclusive community.
“This is truly heartwarming,” Escalante said. “We find it necessary to implement, considering the growing number of deaf-mute individuals not just in Cadiz but in other localities as well.”
Currently, Cadiz has 119 deaf-mute residents under the care of the city’s Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO). Escalante noted that sign language was once misunderstood or dismissed as humiliating for deaf-mute individuals, but this perception has shifted.
“Now, it’s a necessity, especially in our daily dealings at city hall,” he said. “We need to be inclusive and ensure persons with disabilities, especially those who are deaf-mute, feel they have a special place in our governance.”
Escalante acknowledged that learning sign language is both challenging and rewarding. “Sign language conveys a mix of emotions beyond simple comprehension. It fosters empathy and understanding in a unique way.”
The training was spearheaded by PDAO focal person Al James Madrid, who expressed optimism that this initiative would contribute significantly to Cadiz’s goal of becoming a deaf-mute-friendly community.
“This marks a positive step toward making inclusivity a reality for Cadiz,” Madrid said.
