Davao City Special Needs Intervention Center for Children

Davao City – Serving more than a thousand children with special needs since its operation in 2025, the Davao City Special Needs Intervention Center for Children (DCSNICC) caters to the overall well-being of the children, many of whom require continuous therapy and specialized support to improve their daily functioning and quality of life.

To help these children with special needs, AboitizPower subsidiary Therma South, Inc. (TSI) and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. turned over occupational therapy equipment to Dr. Melody Pardillo, Center Manager of DCSNICC.

Made from specialized wood from Europe, the multi-functional wooden sensory and movement equipment creates a safe and interactive environment where the children can improve their motor skills, balance, coordination, strength, and sensory integration through guided play and therapy activities.

“We believe every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and be understood. Ug isip kabahin sa among advocacy, dili lang mi kutob sa paghatag og kuryente, apil usab ang pag-atiman sa katawhan,” (As part of our advocacy, we do not only provide electricity but also care for people) said Atty. Alona Suzell Ruyeras-Borromeo, the Assistant Vice-President for Corporate Services, AboitizPower Transition Business Group.

Introduced by Councilor Petite Principe, City Ordinance No. 0230-20 Series of 2020 has led to the construction of the facility. This city initiative was envisioned as a one-stop shop for children with disabilities. The addition of therapy equipment will strengthen the existing intervention and educational services to the children.

“Every piece of equipment we received today represents opportunity; opportunity for a child to move more freely, opportunity to develop skills that will help them live more independently, and opportunity for families to see progress, hope, and possibility where they may once have been in uncertainty,” said Councilor Atty. Petite Principe, Chairperson for Education, Science and Technology, Arts and Culture City Council.

Moreover, TSI’s legal team also led a legal caravan to educate and empower parents of children with special needs. By discussing specific legal protections, TSI helped families understand and navigate the law to better support their children’s futures.

TSI shared insights on basic law and framework, schooling and early help, health, wellness and mental health, and protection from harm, criminal and civil. The caravan’s aim is to help parents feel more supported in their lifetime commitment to loving their children with special needs.

“Your support goes beyond providing physical structure, it creates a space where our children can play, explore, build friendships, and develop essential skills in a safe and inclusive environment,” said Dr. Melody Pardillo, Center Manager of DCSNICC.

Beyond providing reliable and affordable power in Mindanao, TSI supports programs that help individuals in every walk of life thrive, especially children and families who need care, understanding, and inclusive spaces.

PARENTS and guardians of kids 0-6 years of age can avail of the free services from the Davao City Special Needs Intervention Center for Children (DCSNICC).

In an interview with city-run Disaster Radio on Thursday, center manager Melody Pardillo said 1,114 are officially enrolled in the center, out of 1,200 sign-ups.

“Our center serves as a one-stop shop dedicated to early childhood intervention,” she said.

The facility has a developmental pediatrician who evaluates and manages the behavior of the children to determine a diagnosis, all at no additional cost.

Other services include physical therapy, aqua therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, special needs education, an audiologist for hearing assessment, and social welfare for the family.

The center caters to children aged 0 to 6 years old, with 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.

Pardillo said various disabilities are being catered to in the center, but at present, about 80% of the enrolled have Autism Spectrum Disorder.

To cater to the children, the facility employs two developmental pediatricians, one audiologist, an aqua therapist, physical therapist, five occupational therapists, a speech pathologist, 15 special needs education teachers, and child care professionals.

The official said the facility will hire a psychologist, nurse, additional occupational therapists, and speech pathologists in the first quarter of the year.

A child can avail services in the center until 7 years of age, depending on the recommendation of the health care professional.

While it is free of charge, the availability of services requires a Certificate of Indigency/low income of parents of the children, which can be accessed through the CSWDO district office, and a certificate of residency from the barangay office.

“Ang atong gi serbisyohan ang kadtong walay kapasidad nga mobayad sa private therapy center ug kadto pung residente sa Davao city,” she stressed.

Pardillo said for this year, the center eyes enhancement in some of the amenities such as roofing of aqua therapy pool to keep its cleanliness; larger area for occupational and physical therapy; and soundproofing for hearing assessment audio room and speech room.

For this year, a P6 million budget is allocated for the facility for implementation of the additional amenities and professionals.

Photo: Davao City Special Needs Intervention Center for Children

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Davao City Special Needs Intervention Center for Children

Therma South donates therapy equipment to kids with special needs

City offers free early childhood intervention services