DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte commemorated Teachers’ Day on Tuesday, October 6, by honoring educators and therapists supporting children with special needs, reflecting on how a public school teacher’s initiative sparked the creation of the Davao City Special Needs Intervention Center for Children.
Attending the Araw ng mga Guro festivities at the facility, Duterte recounted how the center originated during her tenure as mayor of Davao City. A public elementary school teacher approached her during a Barangay Day event to voice concerns about students requiring specialized instruction and medical evaluation.
The educator noted that while she recognized the distinct needs of several students in her classroom, she lacked the professional expertise to diagnose their conditions or recommend suitable therapeutic interventions.
Duterte explained that pupils needed formal assessments from medical experts, such as developmental pediatricians, prior to placement in Special Education (SPED) programs. However, securing these evaluations presented significant logistical hurdles for families.
“Tumagal sa amin ang anim na buwan, kahit para sa unang mag-aaral, para suriin sila,” Duterte said. “Isipin mo, gaano katagal bago sila suriin bago sila bigyan ng guro sa SPED. Isang mag-aaral lang, at nagtagal ng anim na buwan.”
Beyond academic placement, many children required physical, occupational, and speech therapies that were financially out of reach for many local households.
“Nagsimula ito sa isang guro na hindi lamang para sa kanyang sarili kundi para sa kanyang mga mag-aaral,” Duterte shared, emphasizing the teacher’s selflessness. “Ang kanyang saklaw ay hanggang dito. Pero ang pangangailangan para sa bata ay hindi lamang SPED classes, kundi therapy.”
Seeking a long-term solution, the city government studied a municipal model in Valenzuela City that integrated government-managed SPED services and clinical therapies. Duterte directed the City Social Welfare and Development Office to adapt and expand the framework for Davao City.
The local government partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd), working alongside former DepEd Region XI Director Ma. Ines Asuncion to repurpose a city-owned property previously utilized by the Alternative Learning System into the current intervention center.
Expressing deep gratitude to the facility’s personnel, Duterte acknowledged the profound influence their work has on children and their families, fondly referring to the educators and specialists as “fairy godparents.”
“Sa lahat ng mga guro at therapist ng Davao City Special Needs Center at Intervention Center, isang mainit at tunay na masayang Araw ng mga guro sa inyong lahat,” she remarked.
“Salamat sa pagiging aming mga anak na fairy godparents, sa pagbibigay sa kanila ng mga pakpak upang lumipad at magawa ito,” Duterte added, before distributing tokens of appreciation to the attendees.