QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- There is a building in Taguig City that houses a one-stop-shop of services, catering solely for persons with disability (PWDs).

Taguig City's Disability Resource and Development Center is the first local government unit (LGU)-run facility that offers a variety of services for PWDs. Every floor has something in store to empower and uplift the condition of Taguig’s differently-abled residents. 

In an interview, Taguig Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) head Helario B. Supaz said the city government envisioned establishing this center with a primary focus on implementing sustainable programs that cater to the needs and well-being of PWDs. 

It is a "one-stop shop," Supaz added, to simplify and integrate different assistance programs, services, and facilities to provide a convenient and accessible center for PWDs. 

“By providing an array of services in one place, the establishment seeks to improve efficiency, convenience, and inclusiveness, eventually increasing the overall well-being and empowerment of PWDs in Taguig City.”

This 6-storey building stands as a testament to the city's dedication to inclusivity, with each floor symbolizing a concrete commitment to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment:

Ground floor: This busiest floor of the building houses PDAO's main office, which serves as the focal point for a variety of essential services. Individuals can come here to meet their general requirements, such as applying for and receiving PWD identity cards.

2nd floor: This floor hosts an e-library, providing an inclusive space accessible not only to PWDs but also welcoming those without disability. Additionally, the facility has well-equipped conference rooms that are suitable for meetings. To add a touch of comfort, it has a pantry that caters to everyone's tastes.

3rd floor: This level is dedicated to attending to the medical needs of adult PWDs, including essential services like physical therapy and consultations with rehabilitation medicine doctors. 

4th floor: On the 4th floor, the focus shifts to pediatric services, which acknowledge the unique requirements of children with disabilities. 

The development of distinct spaces for adults and children demonstrates an understanding that their needs differ greatly. By adapting the services on this floor to the special requirements of pediatric patients, the facility hopes to create an environment that is not only inclusive but also sensitive to the unique healthcare and developmental needs of children with disabilities. This thoughtful approach ensures that the center offers specialized care and assistance to people of all ages, fostering overall well-being.

5th floor: This level is particularly intended for consultations with a developmental pediatrician, providing a dedicated room that also functions as an occupational therapy and speech therapy room. It also serves as a space for multisensory integration. This floor's setup emphasizes its multifaceted function, which includes a full array of services to meet developmental requirements. 

The latest addition to their services is the free speech therapy designed especially for children. Although the program is currently being refined, the center is actively trying to improve it. As soon as the changes are complete, an official announcement will be published outlining the scheduling processes.

6th floor: This dedicated space holds seminars and lectures. Furthermore, this level contains the Philippine registry for PWDs, where data is transferred online from Taguig City to the Department of Health (DOH). An important aspect to note is that the data encoding tasks are performed by people with hearing impairments, empowering them by being part of the workforce

The city takes great pleasure in this structure, which embodies its constant commitment to establishing a community that welcomes and accepts everyone, regardless of differences or abilities.

An inclusive city

Zarah Claire T. Cuenca, director of Taguig Yakap Center and chief pediatric physical therapist, emphasizes that the range of services for PWDs goes beyond the building's physical boundaries. To make it easier to go to therapy sessions, certain Taguig City barangays provide free shuttle service. Furthermore, the city has invested in accessible vehicles designed for wheelchair users, increasing mobility and ensuring that people with disabilities have convenient transit alternatives.

She further emphasized that efforts and programs for PWDs were already in place before the center was established. This exemplifies the city's proactive approach to providing services and assistance, displaying a long-standing commitment to inclusiveness and accessibility. As a result, the center consolidates and expands on these previous initiatives, demonstrating the city's commitment to meeting the needs of people with disabilities through an organized and centralized hub.

For further inquiries you can contact the following:

Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office

Landline: 8642 3590

Cellphone: 09190701398

FB: Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office - Taguig

Taguig Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit

(Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy)

Cellphone: 09617044315

FB: Taguig Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit

Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Cellphone: 09394288492 / 09627094688

Taguig Yakap Inclusive and Learning Center (for SPED Early Intervention Program)

Cellphone: 09932713238 / 09283060687 (GLDG/PIA-NCR)