ILOILO City – Bringing hope and early support closer to families, the Iloilo City Government has opened its second RISEAble Early Intervention Center at the Delfin Jaranilla Learning Center in La Paz district, expanding access to free intervention and developmental assessment services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
Led by Mayor Raisa Treñas, the initiative under the RISEAble Program: Kaya sang Kada Bata, aims to make specialized services more accessible, particularly for families raising children with developmental needs.
“I want you to feel nga wala kamo naga-isahanon. With this program, I want you to feel nga kaupod ninyo kami, and we are here to support and guide you,” the mayor told parents during the inauguration.
To sustain and further expand the program, the city government has proposed a P3.9-million budget for 2027.
The opening comes a year after the first RISEAble Center was established in Molo district. Treñas reiterated her vision of establishing a center in every district of Iloilo City so parents would no longer have to travel far to access essential services for their children.
The Molo center serves children from Molo, Arevalo, and Mandurriao districts, while the newly opened La Paz center caters to families from La Paz, Jaro, and Lapuz districts. The city is also exploring the possibility of establishing another center in Bo. Obrero through a partnership with Assumption.
“Ang aton handum amo ang mabuligan ang mga kabataan sa pinakaaga nga tion pinaagi sa early intervention. Kon maagapan naton sila sang nagakaigo nga suporta kag intervention, mas dako ang posibilidad nga mangin mas independent kag mas prepared sila sa pag-eskwela,” she said.
Mayor Treñas announced that the city aims to establish additional RISEAble centers in other districts to make services more accessible to families.
“Ang akon handom nga kada distrito sa Iloilo City may ara sang RISEAble Center agod indi na magpalayo pa ang mga ginikanan sa pagpangita sang serbisyo para sa ila kabataan. Gusto naton nga mas mapadasig kag mapalapad pa naton ang suporta para sa ila,” the mayor added.
PARENTS WELCOME THE PROGRAM
For parents, the program offers not only access to intervention services but also much-needed assistance in addressing the challenges and expenses associated with their children’s developmental needs.
Herose Cullo, a mother from Molo whose child has Spectrum Disorder, expressed her gratitude for the initiative, saying it provides valuable assistance to families who may struggle to afford therapy and early intervention services.
“Gapa-thank you gid ako sa amo ni nga program kay siyempre parehas sa amon nga nagakulang sa pagpa-therapy, maayo gid nga bulig sa amon nga maka-early intervention parehas sa akon bata may SD. Salamat gid, especially kay Mayor. Thank you so much, Mayor, sa amo ni nga program,” Cullo said.
Aniree Gorres, a mother from Jaro, also welcomed the initiative, highlighting its benefits for parents and families across Iloilo City.
“Actually, ang amo ni nga programa makabulig gid ni sa tanan, especially sa mga awesome parents, sa mga Nanay kag Tatay, and especially diri gid sa mga taga-Iloilo. So, we’re really thankful and blessed because of Mayor Treñas and this kind of project,” Gorres said.
NEARLY HALF OF RISEABLE LEARNERS TRANSITION TO DEPED SCHOOLS
The RISEAble initiative underscores the importance of early intervention in helping children develop essential communication, social, academic, behavioral, and daily living skills.
During its first year of operation, nearly half of the children enrolled at the Molo center had already been endorsed to schools under the Department of Education (DepEd) Iloilo City Schools Division, marking progress toward their transition into formal education.
Alongside the inauguration of the La Paz center, the city also rolled out free developmental assessment services, including Developmental Screening, Draw-a-Person Test (DAP), Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS/ADOS-2), and consultations for parents.
RISEAble program head Gab Umadhay said the center provides individualized intervention sessions and Special Education (SPED) classes tailored to each child’s developmental needs. These services are delivered by licensed SPED teachers, psychometricians, and trained personnel to help children develop essential communication, social, academic, behavioral, and daily living skills.
The services form part of the broader RISEAble initiative, which includes the RISEAble Early Intervention Program for children aged 0 to 5, the RISEAble Assessment Center, and the Breaking Barriers for Young Adults with Disabilities (BBY) Training and Development Center, which caters to individuals aged 15 to 45.
Through these programs, the city government seeks to provide children and individuals with developmental needs greater access to assessment, intervention, education, and skills development.
For the city government, expanding RISEAble goes beyond establishing additional facilities. It is about bringing essential services closer to families and providing children with greater opportunities to learn, grow, and become more independent.
With the opening of its second center and a proposed P3.9-million allocation for 2027, Iloilo City aims to further expand access to early intervention and inclusive development services for more children and families across the city./PN
