MANILA — Families and civic and support organizations held a walk-a-thon in Antipolo City on Sunday in solidarity with children and adults with Down syndrome and other disabilities.

Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) collaborated with the Autism Society of the Philippines to raise awareness and foster solidarity among civic and service organizations and support groups.

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Councilor Lorenzo Juan "LJ" Sumulong III of District 2 of Antipolo City, who is also the national president of the Autism Society of the Philippines, highlighted the inclusive nature of the event and stressed the need for mutual support for Filipinos with autism and for persons with disabilities.

"Our whole purpose is so that we can raise awareness sa community about the different disabilities that different families are facing across the country and more particularly dito sa lungsod ng Antipolo and how we can help each other in our journey to life," he said.

"Although there are different disabilities, different challenges iisa po kami lahat at lahat kami nagtutulungan," he also said.

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Sumulong said he plans to establish a center in Antipolo that would offer comprehensive therapy services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.

The planned center will also have support for cancer patients, he said.