Disability will never be a hindrance for a person with a dream.
 
This was proven by a 51-year-old woman with disability who managed to climb the ladder of success and became one of the amazing women leaders in Pangasinan.
 
She is Aileen Peteros, a resident of Mangaldan town who was born in 1971, the youngest of three children of Ernesto and Gloria Tanguilig.
 
Peteros was born with clubfoot deformity in her right foot, which became her disability as an individual as soon as she started standing and walking.
 
Growing up, Peteros suffered from bullying during her elementary and high school days because of her disability.
 
“’Yon ang parang mabigat na portion na pinagdaanan ko. ‘Yon bang to the point na gagayahin pa ako. ‘Yong paglalakad ko,” said Peteros in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency.
 
Because of bullying, Peteros felt insecure due to a belief that she is physically inferior to others.
 
“Noon umiiyak ako. Nasa sulok ako, tinatanong ko ang sarili ko, “Bakit ganito ang sarili ko?”, “Bakit ba ako pinanganak?”, sinisisi ko ang Diyos at ‘yong parents ko na “bakit ganito?”, she recalled.
 
With her disability, Peteros was unable to walk normally, limiting her movement unlike those who have normal feet.
 
However, despite feeling incomplete and unworthy, Peteros overcame the challenges and believed in herself that she can do more.
 
“Nagkaroon ako ng realization at acceptance na, ganito ako ipinanganak, walang dapat sisihin. Tinanggap ko ‘yon nang hindi masakit sa loob ko, without bitterness,” she related.
 
According to Peteros, she started believing in her capabilities because of her family’s support and confidence in her.
 
Peteros recalled how her father always encouraged her to finish her studies.
 
“Always ini-encourage niya ako na mag-aral. Kasi sabi niya, “Hindi ako nakatapos ng pag-aaral, kaya ikaw na lang ‘yong pangarap ko, ‘yong pangarap na makapag-aral, ikaw na lang ang magtatapos noon”, she said.
 
“Dahil maganda ‘yong support system ko, na-overcome ko ‘yong mga ‘yon and na-encourage akong mag-aral, ituloy-tuloy sa college at ‘yon nakahanap ako ng magandang employment. From there, tuloy -tuloy naman na ‘yong mga opportunities na dumarating sa akin,” she added.
 
Peteros graduated from the University of the Philippines (UP) in Baguio City and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences degree major in Political Science and History.
 
She was first employed under the Office of Executive Secretary during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
 
In 2010, Peteros started working as a job order employee in the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Dagupan City and got a permanent position in 2016.
 
“I feel grateful sa LTO kasi na-recognize nila ‘yong capability ko. Binigyan nila ako ng opportunity para ma-permanent,” she said.
 
After three years, she was assigned to lead LTO Bayambang Extension Office, Agoo District Office, and Lingayen District Office that paved the way for her promotion.
 
At present, Peteros is now serving the public as the district head of LTO San Carlos City District Office.
 
“Grateful ako sa LTO kasi pantay ang tingin nila sa mga PWD. Na-recognize nila ‘yong ako, na pwede naman pala ang isang PWD na maging head,” she added.
 
Peteros said LTO San Carlos City caters to clients from San Carlos City, Mangatarem, Malasiqui, Bautista, Urbiztondo, parts of Calasiao, Sta. Barbara, Basista and Bayambang.
 
 The district office offers services such as registration, licensing, as well settlements of fines.
 
District offices in Pangasinan are located in Alaminos City, Dagupan City, San Carlos City, Urdaneta City and Lingayen while the extension offices are located in Rosales and Bayambang towns.
 
In the entire LTO management in the country, Peteros said she is the only woman with disability who serves as a district head.
 
Empowered as she is, Peteros urged all persons with disabilities (PWDs) to believe in their abilities rather than to limit themselves because of their disabilities.
 
“Sa mga kapwa ko na may kapansanan na PWDs, ‘wag tayong mahiya na lumabas. Gawin natin ang lahat para tuparin ang pangarap natin,” she said.
 
Peteros is married and blessed with two lovely kids aged 16 and nine years old.
 
“Sa mga magulang na gaya ko, kung may mga anak kayo na may kapansanan, ‘wag kayong magsasawa na suportahan ang mga anak ninyo. Kailangang kailangan nila ang inyong suporta,” Peteros said.
 
She has been serving the public, through LTO, for more than 13 years now.
 
With support and encouragement, Peteros was empowered to prove that even with disability, she can be successful and be of service to others.
 
Indeed, disability can be a physical limitation but nothing can limit someone’s spirit, skills and perseverance to achieve greatness. (JCR/AMB/EMSA/PIA Pangasinan)