The Davao City Special Needs Intervention Center for Children (DCSNICC), a facility dedicated to early childhood intervention, has already recorded around 1,200 sign-ups in just a few months of operation.
The center, which caters to children aged 0 to 6 years old, provides free service and programs for Intellectual Disability, Global Developmental Delay, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Speech or Language Impairment, Specific Learning Disorder, Physical Disability, Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment/Hearing Loss, Sensory Delays, and cognitive delays.
Dr. Ferriza Maria A. Isaguirre, Development Pediatrician of DCSNICC, said that the number of sign-ups reflected the growing awareness and acceptance of early childhood intervention.
“Since we started the Davao City Special Need Intervention Center, there are already around one thousand two hundred sign ups. Ibig sabihin may nagpa linya na 1,200 children (Since we started the Davao City Special Need Intervention Center, there are already around one thousand two hundred sign ups. That means there are 1,200 children in line),” she told Usapang Pambata: Special Office for Children’s Concern (SOCC) over Davao City Disaster Radio on January 6, 2026.
Isaguirre explained that the center offers a comprehensive range of programs including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. There is also a special education services, playgroup program, auditory hearing tests, developmental evaluation and other medical groups that would offer free services.
Beyond the therapy, DCSNICC also helps parents, through its social workers, to help them understand the misconceptions that delays critical intervention.
“Part of the things that we want to do in the center is to help them understand. Naay mga program para sa ginikanan nga gina educate sila unsa ni and our social workers also help in letting the parents understand. So ang aming ginatry ipakita sa parent is you have to help your child. The only person, the first person who can help your child is you and that comes with accepting that your child needs help (Part of the things that we want to do in the center is to help them understand. There are programs for parents that educate them and our social workers also help them to understand. So what we want to show the parents is that you have to help your child. The only person, the first person who can help your child is you and that comes with accepting that your child needs help),” she added.
As the center nears its first year, DCSNICC has already demonstrated both the urgent demand for early intervention and the city’s determination to build a future where no child is left behind.
“Davao City residents are very fortunate that we have this type of service that we are giving the people of Davao City. Because we know, just based on the number, daghan gyud nanginahanglan and the services are really meant for those who cannot afford the private type of services (Davao City residents are very fortunate that we have this type of service that we are giving the people of Davao City. Because we know, just based on the number, there are many who are in need and the services are really meant for those who cannot afford the private type of services),” she said. CIO
Written by: K. Malasado
Edited by: A. Nawal
