The Quezon City Government proudly announces that its Kabahagi Center for Children with Disabilities (CWDs) is now officially accredited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as a training facility for Physical Therapy (PT) and Occupational Therapy (OT) students—the first and only local government-run center in the country to receive such distinction for community-based practice.
This milestone affirms that Kabahagi Center’s rehabilitation services meet CHED’s rigorous standards, qualifying it as a premier learning ground for future therapy professionals. With this accreditation, the Center is poised to broaden its reach and deepen its impact on indigent children with disabilities and their families.
“We are honored by this recognition, which underscores our city’s unwavering commitment to building an inclusive and accessible future,” said Mayor Joy Belmonte. “Through the Kabahagi Center, we not only empower families and improve children’s lives—we also help shape a new generation of health professionals grounded in service and compassion.”
The CHED accreditation follows a string of national honors earned by the Center in recent months. In March, Kabahagi was awarded first place in the 2024 Gelia Castillo Award for Research in Social Innovations in Health (GCARSIH) by the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD).
Its winning initiative, “Rehabilitation for All: FlexiCoaching as a Sustainable Model for Universal Access to Disability Care,” offers a groundbreaking 10-session coaching module that equips parents and caregivers with essential therapy techniques in physical, occupational, or speech therapy—allowing them to actively support their children’s development from home.
In 2024, Kabahagi Center was also recognized as the sole recipient of the Government Best Practice Recognition (GBPR) by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), standing out among 69 entries nationwide for its exemplary model of holistic and inclusive disability care.
Established in 2018 through City Ordinance No. SP-2718, S-2018, the Kabahagi Center delivers integrated support services across health, education, livelihood, and social empowerment for children with disabilities. Its programs include early detection and intervention, inclusive education promotion, and capacity-building efforts that engage families, educators, and service providers in creating an enabling environment for every child.
To date, the Center has served 7,641 children with disabilities. Among these:
• 3,949 have received official diagnoses;
• 3,994 accessed occupational therapy;
• 1,038 received physical therapy;
• 3,477 benefited from speech therapy.
In total, the Center has delivered 12,458 therapy sessions—a testament to Quezon City’s dedication to disability inclusion and excellence in public service.
The CHED accreditation not only affirms the Center’s quality but strengthens Quezon City’s leadership in championing inclusive urban governance and advancing the rights of persons with disabilities.
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