Manila, Oct. 6 -- The city government here on Monday opened a center for children with special needs aged three to five years.

The launch of the RISEable, the first city-government Special Education (SPED) and Early Intervention Center, is part of the inclusive education and early childhood care initiatives of the local government.

It offers one-on-one sessions and SPED classes, focusing on both behavioral and academic interventions.

"This center provides specialized learning and developmental support for children with special needs for free," Mayor Raisa TreNas said in a media interview.

Trenas spoke to a parent of an eight-year-old with special needs and found out that they have struggled for years to find help as they could not aff...