ALBAY 3rd District Rep. Raymond Adrian Salceda is pushing for the passage of a proposed Magna Carta for Children with Disabilities and Their Families to address persistent gaps in support services for children with special needs.

Salceda noted that while the Philippines already has landmark laws such as the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities and the Inclusive Education Act, there remains a need for targeted measures that address the unique needs of children with disabilities.

“Existing laws provide a strong foundation, but children with disabilities require targeted and sustained interventions that recognize their developmental needs,” Salceda said.

Under House Bill No. 7440, Salceda seeks to establish a national framework for early intervention programs, subsidized therapy services, family support programs, and financial assistance for families raising children with disabilities.

The measure aims to institutionalize early screening and intervention systems to ensure developmental delays and disabilities are identified and addressed as early as possible.

It also proposes government-subsidized access to specialized therapies—including speech, occupational, and physical therapy—which are often costly and inaccessible to low-income families.

Additionally, the bill provides structured family support services, recognizing the critical role of parents and caregivers in the long-term development of children with disabilities.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Salceda noted that there are about 1.4 million persons with disabilities in the country, a significant portion of whom are children who require early intervention, specialized therapies, and sustained support to reach their full potential.

Salceda emphasized that investing in early and comprehensive support systems would not only improve the quality of life for children with disabilities but also ease the financial and emotional burden on their families.