Senator Bam Aquino has issued a powerful call for the Philippine government to dramatically increase its support for the more than five million Filipino children living with disabilities. During a Senate plenary session on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Aquino pointed to a "gaping hole" in the nation's education and social support systems that leaves these vulnerable children underserved.
A Crisis of Neglect and Underfunding
Speaking as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Senator Aquino backed a presentation by Senator Raffy Tulfo that detailed what they described as widespread neglect affecting millions of families with members who have disabilities. Aquino pledged that his committee would prioritize this critical issue when it reconvenes.
Despite the landmark passage of the Inclusive Education Act, Aquino stressed that many children with special needs remain underserved, underfunded, and largely invisible in government programs. He cited alarming data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education, known as Edcom 2.
Staggering Statistics Reveal Systemic Failure
The Edcom 2 report reveals a dire situation. Out of an estimated 5.1 million children with disabilities nationwide, only about eight percent—roughly 391,000—are recorded as enrolled in schools. Aquino emphasized the report's finding that "one out of every five students has a disability or has a concern that needs to be given proper attention."
Further compounding the problem, the data shows that about 61 percent of enrolled students with disabilities lack a formal medical diagnosis. Aquino explained that due to the prohibitive cost of clinical assessments, many teachers are forced to rely solely on observing a child's behavior and visible signs. His committee plans to investigate these figures more deeply to understand the full scope of the issue.
Empty Shells and a Severe Shortage of Specialists
The senator also relayed the frustrations of many parents who have approached his office, despairing over the lack of public facilities and the high fees charged by private therapy providers. The systemic challenges are exacerbated by a critical shortage of specialized educators.
The report indicates that only around 32 percent of students with disabilities have access to specialized teachers, a crisis worsened by severely limited funding. Some schools reportedly have a budget of only between P333 and P488 per student per year to support children with special needs.
While infrastructure development has begun, with 69 percent of planned Inclusive Learning Resource Centers completed, Aquino noted a tragic flaw: many of these centers are "empty shells" lacking the therapists or specialists needed to make them operational. "If we compare the funds, infrastructure, and the ability to help children with special needs... it's really far," he stated.
A Call for Holistic and Urgent Action
In his concluding remarks, Aquino called for immediate cooperation across all branches of government. "This should be raised and we will work, Mr. President, hand in hand," he declared, promising that his committee would seek solutions for these families as soon as it reconvenes.
Separately, Senator Raffy Tulfo has been advocating for an additional P40 million in funding for the Department of Social Welfare and Development's Project Aruga, which provides financial aid to families of children with disabilities. Aquino stressed that any effective solution must be holistic, merging immediate financial assistance with long-term, systemic reforms in the education and support systems for children with disabilities.
