SENATOR Mark Villar filed a bill providing for a comprehensive accessible and affordable early detection and timely intervention services for children with special needs.

In Senate Bill 220 or the Early Detection and Intervention Services for Children with Mental Illness Act, Villar said it is estimated that one out of seven or around 5.1 million Filipino children are living with disabilities.

The senator said children with disabilities continue to experience barriers to access basic social services.

They are also less likely to attend school, access medical services, or have their voices heard in society.

“Their disabilities also place them at a higher risk of physical abuse and discrimination,” Villar said.

Based on the bill, a framework is envisioned wherein society must adapt its structures and mechanisms to ensure that children, irrespective of age, gender, disability, must enjoy the human rights that are inherent in their human dignity.

“Disability cannot be considered in isolation, having special needs should not be a badge for discrimination,” the senator stressed.

The measure aims to put in place a comprehensive and coordinated health policy on children with special needs that would provide the directions and interventions that must be undertaken by and among concerned agencies in an effective and timely manner.