The Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Adults and Children with Handicap (REACH) Foundation, Inc. has partnered with the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur to conduct teletherapy sessions for children with special needs. The first and second sessions were held simultaneously at the Capitol Complex, Rodriguez Elementary School, and Bombon Central School.
REACH Foundation, Inc. is a non-stock, non-profit organization that offers free quality occupational, physical, and speech-language therapy to people with disabilities through community-based programs. By partnering with public and private institutions, the foundation establishes Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) programs to make specialized care accessible especially for the underprivileged.
Following a successful launch on December 11, 2025, the REACH Foundation conducted its second session on February 12, 2026. The event saw a high turnout of children with special needs, including both returning and first-time attendees.
Teletherapy, or online therapy, delivers counseling and therapeutic services through live video sessions. Through this initiative, professional therapists provide specialized interventions for children with conditions such as autism, global developmental delay, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, language delay, learning disability, and ADHD, among others.
Zylvyx Portuguez, mother of 7-year-old Caleb Mario, who has autism, expressed her gratitude for the program.
“Thankful ako na merong program ngayon ang Reach Foundation na nagbibigay ng libreng therapy sa mga katulad ng kondisyon ni Caleb. May mga conditions po siya na hindi normal like sa speech, communication, and behavioral. Malaking tulong po yung ganito para matulungan po si Caleb lalo na po sa pag-aaral niya since wala po siya sa SPED na school,” shared Portuguez.
“Magaling yung nakausap namin, kahit ako po natuwa. Marami rin po akong natutunan na programs or techniques na magagamit namin sa bahay. Kahit po sa bahay, guided po kami kung paano siya matutulungan. Helpful po talaga sa aming parents, especially kasi sobrang mahal. Ang mahal ng therapy po [sa labas],” she added.
Portuguez and other parents expressed relief that the program offers continuity. To ensure long-term development and consistent intervention, the REACH Foundation will continue conducting teletherapy sessions that parents can access from the convenience of their homes.
By integrating teletherapy into its social services, the Provincial Government ensures that distance and cost are no longer barriers, championing inclusivity to deliver high-quality, sustainable health services directly to the PWD community.
