EDCOM 2 flags access gaps on PWD health facilities, specialists

The implementation of the Inclusive Education Act continues to face challenges as several regions lack PhilHealth-accredited facilities and specialists needed to provide services for learners with disabilities, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) said.

During a House Committee on Basic Education and Culture hearing on August 10, EDCOM 2 warned that thousands of learners might be unable to access assessments, therapy and rehabilitation services despite the passage of Republic Act No. 11650, or the Inclusive Education Act.

The hearing came a week after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced in his 2026 State of the Nation Address that Philhealth would expand its Z Benefit Package for children with developmental disabilities, increasing covered therapy sessions from 90 to 150.

EDCOM 2 welcomed the expansion, saying greater financial coverage could ease the burden on families. 

However, it also stressed that increased benefits must be matched by greater access to accredited facilities and qualified professionals.

An EDCOM 2 analysis of PhilHealth’s contracted facilities as of June 30 found 14 distinct facilities only nationwide providing Z Benefit Packages for children with disabilities. 

Five are located in the National Capital Region, while seven regions have no accredited facility.

These include Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Northern Mindanao, leaving families in these areas with limited access to specialized services.

The shortage also extends to healthcare professionals, with more than half of PhilHealth-accredited rehabilitation medicine specialists concentrated in Metro Manila. 

The limited distribution of specialists creates additional challenges for learners in regions outside the capital, particularly those who require regular assessments, therapy, and multidisciplinary care. This leaves families in remote areas with fewer options for accessing specialized services.

Only 109 certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians and 155 accredited clinics serve the entire country.

EDCOM 2 Co-chairperson Representative Roman Romulo said the commission has been working with PhilHealth and the Department of Health (DOH) to address barriers to accreditation, particularly for government hospitals.

According to Romulo, the current requirements for accreditation require hospitals to provide a complete set of services. 

He said the DOH plans to “unbundle” these requirements so government hospitals can be accredited even without offering every service in the package.

Meanwhile, EDCOM 2 Executive DirectorKarol  Yee said schools are also seeking clearer guidance on how to support learners with disabilities while specialists, assessment tools, and facilities remain unavailable in some communities. 

Yee said schools need interim policies for areas without developmental pediatricians or PhilHealth-accredited facilities, particularly on how they should determine appropriate accommodations for learners.

Romulo also noted that RA 11650 requires a roadmap for expanding Inclusive Learning Resource Centers and increasing the capacity of higher education institutions to produce more specialists through programs such as scholarships.

Despite the gaps, EDCOM 2 said the expansion of PhilHealth’s therapy coverage remains a significant step toward making specialized care more affordable for families.

The commission emphasized, however, that the full implementation of the act will require sustained efforts to expand accredited facilities, increase the number of specialists, strengthen referral systems, and provide schools with the support they need.

EDCOM 2 stressed that expanding benefits alone is insufficient if learners cannot access the services guaranteed under the law, highlighting the need to bridge the gap between inclusive education policy and its implementation on the ground.