Senators push for more developmental pediatricians amid nationwide shortage

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 04, 2026

Photo courtesy: Senate of the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Only 109 certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians are available nationwide, prompting Senators Joel Villanueva and Bam Aquino to call for expanded specialist training and improved access to developmental assessment services for children with disabilities.

The shortage is particularly severe outside Metro Manila, where families may have to travel long distances to obtain specialized medical assessments, according to findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II).

The commission reported that nearly half of the cstraiountry’s developmental pediatrician clinic listings are concentrated in Metro Manila, which accounts for 47 percent. Calabarzon follows with 15 percent and Central Luzon with 12 percent.

Only 7.7 percent of the listings are in the Visayas and 9 percent in Mindanao. Caraga and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao have no listed developmental pediatricians.

Aquino, an EDCOM II co-chairperson, called for expanded access to specialists, particularly in areas with limited medical services.

“Children who need developmental assessment should not have to contend with limited local services or travel long distances to reach a specialist,” Aquino said.

Meanwhile, Villanueva, also an EDCOM II co-chairperson, urged the government to create additional consultant and fellowship positions at three public hospitals: the Philippine General Hospital, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, and National Children’s Hospital.

EDCOM II found that only five hospitals nationwide offer fellowship training in developmental and behavioral pediatrics, with most located in Metro Manila.

“If we can capacitate these hospitals to train more specialists, maybe we can help expand access to developmental assessment and support services,” Villanueva said.

The shortage also affects the assessment of learners with disabilities in public schools.

According to EDCOM II, 312,383 of the 492,902 public-school learners with disabilities recorded for School Year 2025–2026 were identified through observed disability manifestations rather than formal diagnoses.

This represents 63.4 percent of the recorded learners, while only 180,519, or 36.6 percent, had formal diagnoses.

EDCOM II Executive Director Karol Mark Yee identified Bicol and Soccsksargen as among the most underserved regions, with developmental pediatrician-to-learner ratios of 1:37,068 and 1:24,728, respectively.

“This is of great concern because learners do not just need diagnosis but continued support also from specialists,” Yee said.

EDCOM II called for coordination among the Department of Health, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, PhilHealth, and local government units to expand training opportunities and improve referral systems.

The commission also noted that access to PhilHealth’s Z Benefit package for developmental disabilities requires assessment by qualified specialists at contracted facilities before children can receive covered rehabilitation services.