As of today, there has been a great challenge for the deaf community in communicating to the service providers who can help in their issues and concerns. That is the reason it needs to train those key frontliners in the City Government of Malaybalay who are likely to meet and provide services for our deaf clients.

Through the initiative of City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), a series of trainings were conducted in four batches for the basic sign language on November 15, 21, 22, and 29, 2022. While, intensive 3-day training were held on November 16-18 for module 1 and November 23-25 for module 2.

During the training, participants were able to appreciate the importance of communicating the deaf through a sign language. CSWDO facilitators emphasized that showing appropriate facial expression in attending the needs of our deaf friends is a must.

The city frontliners were also taught alphabet sign languages, finger spelling, number sign languages, greeting and expression by words and the corresponding signs. Through the assistance of deaf friends, learners during the activity exercises were able execute what they have learned in the course of the training by listening skills and song interpretation.

CSWDO thanked the City government under the able leadership of Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran for the support of the program designed to promote inclusive public service.

Report by: ER Tomada, CSWDO-NADA