The Philippines' first hospital-based Developmental Care and Support Services Hub for Children with Disabilities (DS Hub) has opened at the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center (BRHMC), aiming to improve access to early intervention and specialized care for children with disabilities in the Bicol region.

The facility, inaugurated on July 14, 2026, is located on the fifth floor of the BRHMC Heart Center Building. It is a joint initiative of the NORFIL Foundation Inc., BRHMC, Liliane Fonds, and the Paul Foundation to provide coordinated developmental services for children and support for their families.

The hub offers developmental screening, assessment, therapy, care coordination, parent education, telehealth, and multidisciplinary services in one location. Organizers said the center aims to address long-standing gaps in access to developmental care while strengthening referral systems and supporting local healthcare providers.

NORFIL Foundation Executive Director Ma. Teresa Nuqui said the center was designed to connect services and guide families through every stage of care.

"DS Hub was never envisioned as simply another center that provides services. It was envisioned as a place where services are connected. Where developmental screening leads to appropriate assessment. Where assessment leads to timely intervention. Where families receive guidance instead of confusion," Nuqui said.

The inauguration came days before the country's 48th National Disability Rights Week, observed from July 17 to 23, which promotes the rights, dignity, participation, and inclusion of persons with disabilities.

As part of the observance, NORFIL Foundation held learning sessions on meaningful youth participation and body awareness for children and young people with disabilities. The activities focused on self-expression, bodily autonomy, participation, and disability rights.

The foundation said the initiative aims to ensure that children and young persons with disabilities are not only able to access healthcare services but are also empowered to take part in decisions that affect their lives.

Nuqui also emphasized the need for partnerships among government agencies, healthcare providers, civil society groups, development partners, and families to improve disability services.

"No single organization can address these challenges alone. But together, we can create systems that make care easier to access, easier to navigate, and ultimately more meaningful for the people we serve," she said.

Stakeholders said they hope the DS Hub will become a model for integrated, family-centered, and rights-based developmental care that can be replicated in other parts of the Philippines.