SENATE President Sherwin Gatchalian has urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to expedite the filling of newly created positions to strengthen support for learners with disabilities.

The call came after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved 133 new plantilla positions, including Senior Education Program Specialists, Education Program Specialist IIs, Physical Therapist IIs, and Occupational Therapist IIs.

Gatchalian said the creation of the new positions is in line with Republic Act No. 11650, or the “Instituting a Policy of Inclusion and Services for Learners with Disabilities in Support of Inclusive Education Act.”

The law seeks to ensure accessible education and related services for learners with disabilities.

“Bagama’t malaki pa ang pangangailangan natin sa mga eksperto para sa ating learners with disabilities, mahalagang unti-unti nating mapunan ang mga bagong posisyon upang matiyak ang epektibong paghahatid ng kinakailangang serbisyo at programa,” Gatchalian said.

Under the law, its implementation will be progressively realized through a multi-year roadmap to be developed by the DepEd. Among its targets are the establishment of Inclusive Learning Resource Centers and the creation of additional plantilla positions.

Gatchalian said the filling of the newly approved positions would help ensure that learners with disabilities receive the appropriate support and services they need.