(Photo courtesy of DSWD)
DINAGAT ISLANDS – At least 100 children aged five years and below in Dinagat Islands are set to receive multidisciplinary developmental assessments through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) CareVan program on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
The initiative will provide participating children with assessments conducted by clinical psychologists and other therapists to help identify their developmental needs and determine appropriate support services.
Dinagat Islands Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Zenaida Lerma Escopete and Ranita Castro of the Provincial Persons with Disability Affairs Office expressed their gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian for including the island province among the program’s priority beneficiaries.
The provincial officials welcomed the initiative, which will bring specialized assessment services closer to young children and their families.
The CareVan activity is expected to help improve access to developmental assessment services, particularly for families who may face difficulties obtaining specialized care outside the province.
The program also highlights efforts to strengthen early childhood support and promote the welfare of children with developmental concerns.
Through the initiative, the DSWD aims to provide children and their families with access to professional assessments that can guide appropriate interventions and support their developmental needs.
