LUBAO, Pampanga — The Provincial Government of Pampanga officially opened a new Children’s Center for Special Needs on 20 February, aimed at providing early support and therapy for neurodivergent children.

Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda led the inauguration at the PWD Building inside the Lubao Municipal Complex. The ceremony was attended by Cong. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Nanay Partylist Cong. Florabel Yatco, DSWD regional director Venus Rebuldela, Lubao Mayor Esmie Pineda, Vice Mayor Jay Montemayor, Councilor Jayson Victorino and other provincial and municipal officials.

The center will serve as a one-stop hub for evaluation, therapy, educational readiness, and family support for children with autism, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, ADHD and other developmental conditions. This aims to reduce the typical six- to eight-month waiting period for specialist assessments and provide timely guidance for every Kapampangan child.

Inclusive health and community services are among the Provincial Government’s priorities for 2025–2028. In Pampanga, statistics on special needs children are tracked through registered Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and enrollment in Special Education (SPED) programs. Central Luzon ranks fourth nationwide in the number of learners with exceptionalities, with about 17,295 children reported.

 In the City of San Fernando, SPED centers like Pampanga High School serve concentrated populations of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, supported by dedicated teams of SPED teachers. Real-time tracking of PWDs is managed by the National Council on Disability Affairs.

The new center in Lubao is expected to provide early intervention, therapy, and educational support, helping children with special needs achieve a brighter and more inclusive future.