Expanded benefits for children with disabilities face access gaps
MANILA, Philippines — More learners with disabilities are entering schools, but many regions still lack the health professionals and facilities needed to provide the support required by law.
Lawmakers raised the concern during a House Committee on Basic Education and Culture hearing on the implementation of Republic Act No. 11650, the Inclusive Education Act.
Despite the law’s passage, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2) warned that thousands of learners with disabilities remain unable to access assessments, therapy and rehabilitation.
READ: PhilHealth to double benefits for kids with developmental disabilities
The services are guaranteed under the law but remain inaccessible because of the country’s persistent shortage of specialists and facilities accredited by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), Edcom 2 said.
Last week, Edcom 2 welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s announcement expanding the benefit package for children with developmental disabilities by increasing the number of covered therapy sessions from 90 to 150.
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However, it emphasized that “increasing benefits must be matched by greater access to accredited facilities and qualified professionals so learners can actually receive the services covered under the package.”
Based on Edcom 2’s analysis of PhilHealth’s Contracted Health Facilities for Z Benefit Packages, only 14 PhilHealth-contracted facilities nationwide provided Z Benefit Packages for children with disabilities as of June 30, 2026.
The Z Benefit Package, designed to protect families from high medical costs for specialized care, covers assessment and planning, standardized tests, and rehabilitation therapy for children with developmental disabilities.
The package provides P3,626 to P5,276 for assessment and discharge services and P5,000 for each therapy set, with up to nine sets of 10 sessions covered. Following Marcos’ announcement, coverage will increase from 90 to 150 sessions.
READ: A critical shortage: Filipino children face barriers to developmental care
Five of the PhilHealth-contracted facilities are in Metro Manila, while seven regions, including Central Visayas, the Zamboanga Peninsula and Northern Mindanao, have no accredited facilities.
PhilHealth offers four Z Benefit Packages covering developmental disabilities, mobility impairment, visual disabilities and hearing impairment. However, utilization remains limited, Edcom 2 said.
As of 2025, only 841 claims had been paid nationwide across all four Z Benefit Packages for children with disabilities.
“These figures do not represent unique beneficiaries, as one learner may generate multiple claims,” Edcom 2 said. /dm
