THE SECOND Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) is pushing for higher salaries and expanded training opportunities for occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists to address the shortage of specialists providing services to learners with disabilities.

The commission said low government salary grades and limited professional training opportunities have made it difficult for public hospitals to attract and retain qualified therapists.

Data from the Department of Health (DOH) as of September 2026 show that 262 of the 395 authorized occupational therapist positions in DOH hospitals remain vacant, representing a vacancy rate of 66 percent.

The shortage is even more pronounced among speech therapists, with 61 of the 77 authorized positions, or 79 percent, still unfilled.

EDCOM 2 noted that entry-level occupational and physical therapists receive Salary Grade 11, while speech therapists are classified under Salary Grade 10. In comparison, entry-level Nurse I positions carry Salary Grade 15.

To make these professions more competitive in government service, the commission is proposing to raise the starting salary grades of occupational, physical, and speech therapists to Salary Grade 15.

The proposed adjustment would translate to a 33-percent salary increase for occupational and physical therapists and a 57-percent increase for speech therapists.

DOH Health Human Resource Development Bureau (HHRDB) Director Lindsley Jeremiah Villarante said public hospitals continue to feel the effects of the workforce shortage, underscoring the need to make these professions more attractive to qualified practitioners and expand training opportunities beyond Metro Manila.

The shortage is further compounded by the limited number of trained specialists, particularly speech-language pathologists.

Data from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) show that only 845 speech-language pathologists passed their licensure examinations from 2023 to 2025.

Access to therapy services also remains limited across the country. EDCOM 2 reported that only four of the country’s 18 regions have PhilHealth-contracted facilities offering occupational and speech therapy services.

The remaining 14 regions have no such contracted facilities, affecting 389,497 learners with disabilities, or 74 percent of the total number covered by the commission’s mapping.

EDCOM 2 warned that the shortage of specialists could hamper the implementation of Republic Act No. 11650, or the Inclusive Education Act, which mandates multidisciplinary assessments and support services for learners with disabilities through Inclusive Learning Resource Centers.

To help address the gap, the commission is coordinating with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the PRC, and the DOH to encourage higher education institutions outside Metro Manila to establish specialized training programs in the Visayas and Mindanao.

The initiative aims to expand the country’s pool of qualified therapists and improve access to essential assessment and intervention services for learners with disabilities.