CEBU CITY — Governor Pamela Baricuatro announced plans on July 30, 2026 to establish Cebu’s first provincial government‑run physiotherapy and rehabilitation center dedicated to persons with disabilities. The announcement came during the culmination of Provincial PWD Month, signaling a permanent commitment to inclusive healthcare.
A Home Inside the Capitol’s Wellness Center
The proposed center will be housed within the Provincial Capitol’s Wellness Center, currently undergoing renovation. Once completed, it will offer specialized physiotherapy, rehabilitation services, and serve as the permanent office for the Provincial Disability Affairs Division. Bringing these services under one roof removes the fragmentation that has long frustrated families seeking care.
Governor Baricuatro framed the announcement not as a month‑end closing but as the start of a year‑round obligation. She stressed that promoting the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities cannot be confined to a single month. The rehab center, she said, is a tangible step toward making that principle a daily reality.
New Leadership, Fresh Mandate
The celebration also featured the oath‑taking of newly elected PWD Federation officers and the recognition of outgoing leaders with plaques of appreciation. Board Member Dason Lorenz Lagon, chairperson of the Committee on Differently‑Abled Persons, used the occasion to outline the reinvigorated direction of the Provincial Disability Affairs Division.
Lagon described the PDAD as more than an administrative office. He called it a bridge that will connect the PWD community to government services and opportunities. The division will advocate for accessible programs in education, employment, healthcare, and livelihood, while ensuring protective laws are fully implemented at the grassroots level.
On‑Site Health Services for Attendees
The Provincial Health Office provided immediate care during the event, offering medical consultations, blood sugar testing, uric acid and cholesterol screening, and distributing reading glasses and multivitamins. These on‑site services mirrored the very kind of accessible healthcare the new rehab center will institutionalize.
Dr. Jera Armendarez of DSWD‑7 also discussed disability awareness and the services available through the agency’s Non‑Residential Facility for Persons with Disabilities. The presence of multiple agencies underscored a united effort to streamline support, reducing the burden on PWDs who previously had to navigate disconnected systems.
A Permanent Commitment Beyond the Month
Chief of Staff Ricci Reluya represented Board Member Lakambini Reluya at the event, reinforcing cross‑sector support. The rehab center, combined with the PDAD’s renewed focus, establishes a foundation that extends beyond symbolic observances into lasting infrastructure for inclusive development.
