Legazpi city: The city government is expanding its support for children with special needs by providing financial assistance and establishing a rehabilitation facility to ensure access to developmental services, a top official here said Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Hisham Ismail announced that at least 1,666 families with members or children diagnosed with neurodevelopmental and learning disabilities will receive PHP3,000 each during a cash payout scheduled for April 21 and 22. The beneficiaries were identified through a 2025 profiling, the first of its kind in the city, which covered families with children who have autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other developmental or mental challenges.

Mayor Ismail emphasized that this initiative marks the first time the city government has provided direct financial aid to families with children with special needs. 'Through the profiling, we saw that this sector is among the most vulnerable. Many of them cannot stand on their own, and for a long time, they have not been given enough attention,' Ismail said.

The support is part of a larger effort as the city is also setting up a facility offering free therapy and developmental assessments. This facility will be located on the ground floor of a three-story building in Barangay Bonot, previously called the Bicol Hair building, and will cater to children in need of rehabilitation services. 'Therapy and developmental pediatric assessment are among the most expensive services that parents cannot afford. Through this facility, we aim to make these services accessible,' Ismail stated.

The building will undergo rehabilitation, with procurement being finalized and work expected to start this year. The city is also assessing whether the number of beneficiaries will increase in the coming years, which will depend on data generated once the facility becomes operational.