A center dedicated to kids with special needs will rise in Davao City in 2021 and will provide free intervention and special education to children, according to a report by the Philippine News Agency.

Following the approval of an ordinance by the 19th City Council last week, February 20, 2020, the City Information Office (CIO) announced that the Davao City Special Needs Intervention Center for Children will be offering early intervention and transition programs, as well as allied medical services including occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy to children ages 0 to 6 years old.

It will also address “concerns and skills deficit brought about by intellectual disability, global development delay, autism spectrum disorder, communication disorder, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, specific learning disorders, motor disorders, visual and hearing impairment, other neurodevelopmental disorders and related behavioral, sensory, and cognitive delays,” according to a report by Sunstar. The center aims to provide programs and services that will prepare special needs children on activities in mainstream society.

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Councilor Antoinette Principe-Castrodes, who pushed for the approval of the ordinance, told Sunstar that both children and families will benefit from the center. “As an advocate of children, I am overjoyed,” she said.

The councilor, whose child has Down syndrome, added that it is according to their policy to help children with special needs. “It is the policy of the city government of Davao to pursue the right of all citizens to (give) quality education and services and take appropriate steps to make education accessible to all and offer quality interventions for the children with developmental delays and behavioral concerns,” she said.

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The 1,000-square-meter center will be located at the Alternative Learning System compound beside the People’s Park and will cost Php41 million. The budget will come from the 2020 Annual Development Fund. According to Councilor Principe-Castrodes, the perspective plan has already been appoved by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Earlier this year, the Department of Education confirmed that the government has allocated a budget for special education in the Philippines for 2020. Click here to know more.

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