“Danish” Therapeutic Center Helps Children

The Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center (STAC) known as Breaking Barriers for Children (BBC) provides free services for children with disabilities and their families. It is designed to uplift the situation of poor Filipino children, aged 0-14, specially those who have disabilities in order to help them live normally like other children.

STAC was established in Vigan City in cooperation with the Danish Polio Society as per Resolution No 34-2007. They offer different services like physical therapy, Special Education (SPED) services, supplemental feeding, and socialization activities. They also do some referrals.

BBC has turned over a total of 18 stimulation and therapeutic activity centers (STAC) and satellites to partner LGUs to date. The handing over of main centers and satellites to the local government units is done in accordance with the BBC project design and prior agreement with the LGUs, who have committed to sustain STAC operations within their localities after the BBC Project has exited from their areas.

In the province of Ilocos Sur, first to be turned over was Satellite Candon on June 2009; Satellite Cabugao on July; Satellite Sta. Maria on October; and Satellite Sto. Domingo on December. January 2010 saw the turnover of STAC 17-Vigan.

As of August 2010, STAC Cabugao has already served children with disabilities such as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, mentally handicapped, speech impairment, and deafness.

Cabugao STAC performs daily operations from Monday to Friday and other activities such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and SPED. Currently, the center is manned by Vylaine Blanca, occupational therapist; Mercy Sol, physical therapist; and social worker Jocelyn Tabboga; it is now housed at Cabugao South Central School.
STAC’s vision is to continue helping children with disabilities so they can be productive and contributing members of the community.