THE City Government of Davao officially opened its Special Needs Intervention Center for Children on March 21, 2025. The facility is dedicated to providing free therapy and intervention services for children with developmental delays and disabilities.
Nove Helburion, Davao City Special Needs Intervention Center for Children (DISNICC) Special Education (Sped) teacher, said during the Ispeak Media Forum at the City Mayor's Office (CMO) on Thursday, March 27, 2025, that the center’s mission is to provide early intervention for zero-to-six-year-olds.
She said that some of the services they offer are developmental pediatric consultations for assessments and diagnosis, Occupational Therapy (OT) for functional skills such as sitting and gripping, Physical Therapy (PT) focused on pediatrics, and Speech Therapy for children with speech, language, and communication delays.
"In Special Education, we create intervention plans targeting basic academic skills to help children integrate with regular students. We also provide Audiology Assessment and Social Services, with a resident social worker following CSWDO guidelines," she said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Melody B. Pardillo, overseer of DISNICC, said those seeking to avail of the services of the center need to secure a certificate of indigency and proof that they are residents of the city.
“Then 0-6 years and 364 days ang atoang e-cater sa DISNICC, so kung wala silay indigency (certificate) ug dili pud sila resident sa Davao City, dili sila ma-cater, (They must also be residents of Davao City and within the age range of 0 to 6 years and 364 days. Without the Certificate of Indigency or Davao City residency, they cannot be accommodated)," she stated during the forum.
Since it started operation on March 24, more than 300 children have already enrolled in the center, with the majority diagnosed with various conditions, while some remain undiagnosed. In addition, the arrangement of children's consultations is organized through scheduling with five to six clients per doctor, totaling 11 consultations per week.
With regard to clients with special needs, 18 children per day with a teacher-to-student ratio depending on the severity of the child’s condition. For moderate cases, one teacher handles three children, while for mild cases, one teacher supervises five children.
According to Persons With Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), more than 2,000 children with disability are recorded across Davao City.
This initiative reaffirms the city’s commitment to inclusive education and accessible healthcare, ensuring that children with special needs receive the support they deserve at an early stage.
The project was initiated by then mayor now Vice President Sara Duterte and was continued by his brother Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte.
The center was made possible through the City Ordinance No. 0230-20, series of 2020, which was proposed by then-Councilor Antoinette Principe.
It is the first facility in Mindanao catering to children with special needs. It has five floors where several services are provided. Trisha Anore, DOrSU intern with reports from CIO
