Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo ‘Pogi’ Lazatin Jr. is pushing for the establishment of Specialized Inclusive Education (SPED) Service Units in all cities and municipalities to strengthen support for learners with sensory impairments.
Under House Bill No. 8310, filed on March 5, 2026, Lazatin seeks to reinforce the implementation of Republic Act No. 11650 or the Instituting a Policy of Inclusion and Services for Learners with Disabilities in Support of Inclusive Education Act.
The measure proposes that the Department of Education (DepEd), in partnership with local government units, establish SPED Service Units as part of, co-located with, or operationally linked to Inclusive Learning Resource Centers (ILRCs) mandated under RA 11650.
The proposed units will help provide specialized education support services for learners who are deaf or hard of hearing, blind or with low vision, and those with speech or language impairments. They will also assist learners enrolled in regular schools or those who have left school programs in transitioning to independent living, vocational training, and employment.
Lazatin said the SPED Service Units will also function as hubs or satellite facilities designed to meet the specific architectural and program needs of learners with sensory impairments.
“Despite the enactment of RA 11650, implementation gaps remain in ensuring that services are readily available to learners who are sensory-impaired, particularly at the local level where specialized personnel, assistive technology, and accessible facilities may be limited,” Cong Pogi said.
Data from DepEd for School Year 2016–2017 showed that 232,975 learners with disabilities or learning exceptionalities were mainstreamed into regular classes. Of these, 19,535 had visual impairments, 13,365 had hearing impairments, and 6,568 had speech or language impairments.
“Providing quality education to Filipino learners is already very challenging, but making quality education inclusive would definitely test our commitment to this goal,” the Congressman added.
The Pampanga lawmaker has also pushed other measures supporting persons with disabilities. In October 2025, Lazatin filed House Bill No. 5125, which seeks to establish national and provincial centers for autism.
The proposed centers will provide free diagnosis, therapy, and rehabilitation services, as well as vocational training, employment support, and counseling services for individuals with autism and their families.
“Through the establishment of these centers, we hope to provide individuals with autism and their families a place to seek assistance from, access education, and find a community,” Cong Pogi concluded.
