SENATOR Joel Villanueva on Wednesday called on fellow lawmakers to take stronger and immediate action to address the needs of children with disabilities, citing widening gaps in services and support nationwide.

Speaking during the Senate plenary session, Villanueva shared his personal perspective as a parent of a child with special needs.

He highlighted the severe shortage of occupational and speech therapists across the country, a gap that hampers timely interventions for thousands of families.

Villanueva also raised concerns over the limited number of facilities dedicated to children with special needs, noting that many communities still lack accessible and affordable therapy centers.

“Children are not only the hope of the future — they own the future. As policymakers, I hope we can do better for the next generation,” Villanueva said.

He urged the Senate to advance policies and programs that expand specialized services, strengthen family support systems, and ensure that children with disabilities receive the opportunities they deserve.