Manila:The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) has initiated a program to provide free developmental assessments and follow-up therapy to children with disabilities in remote communities, including island municipalities. This initiative comes in preparation for the launch of the Philippine Decade Plan on Disability 2027-2036, scheduled for December 3.
According to Philippines News Agency, NCDA Executive Director Glenda Relova announced that the council began reaching out to far-flung island communities in October through its Developmental Assessment, Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Children with Disabilities Caravan. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between the number of children listed in the disability registry and the estimated number of learners with disabilities, indicating that many children remain undiagnosed and may miss early intervention opportunities.
The caravan comprises teams of specialists such as developmental pediatricians, clinical psychologists, child psychiatrists, rehabilitation physicians, occupational and physical therapists, speech pathologists, and nutritionists who visit underserved communities. Relova emphasized that early diagnosis and timely intervention could help minimize the effects of certain disabilities and enhance children's development.
Children diagnosed during the caravan are also assisted in obtaining Persons with Disabilities (PWD) identification cards, with local government units (LGUs) managing registration and approval while the NCDA prints the cards. The initial month of therapy is provided for free, with the NCDA funding two sessions monthly for the subsequent five months. In areas lacking local therapy providers, the council helps cover treatment costs, and LGUs arrange transportation to the nearest rehabilitation center. In other communities, partner therapists conduct sessions at venues provided by local governments.
Relova stated that one of the conditions for the NCDA's involvement in an area is for the local government to commit to providing an additional six months of therapy. The NCDA is coordinating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development to sustain the program beyond its pilot phase.
The NCDA will launch the Philippine Decade Plan on Disability 2027-2036 and its accompanying strategy on December 3, in observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The plan will outline programs and interventions and establish progress assessments at the one-, three-, and five-year marks. Representatives from the NCDA's 16-member government agencies and six organizations representing persons with disabilities will present their accomplishments during the launch. Each member agency has its own mandate to deliver programs and services for persons with disabilities.
Source Philippines News Agency
