Davao City – September 8, 2025
For nearly three decades, the Lingap Center for the Mentally Challenged has been more than just a facility—it has been a home, a refuge, and a place of healing for children with special needs who were once abandoned or neglected.
Established in 1998, the center sits quietly along Durian Street in Tugbok District, but its impact reverberates throughout Davao City. Operated by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the facility has provided temporary residential care, protection, and a safe haven for countless male children with disabilities.
Today, 26 young residents call the Lingap Center home. Inside its walls, they receive not only shelter but also psychosocial interventions, therapeutic activities, and practical skills development programs designed to nurture their growth and build their confidence. For many, the center has also been a bridge back to family, as it actively works toward reunification and reintegration whenever possible.
During its 27th anniversary celebration on Monday, CSWDO head Julie Dayaday highlighted the heart and resilience of the people who make the center’s mission possible.
“I salute the staff for your patience, compassion, and dedication to really be with these children. Dili na siya lalim (It is not an easy task),” Dayaday said, acknowledging the challenges and sacrifices of caring for children with special needs.
Acting City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, through a message read by Dayaday, also underscored the significance of the center’s role in protecting some of society’s most vulnerable.
“Your invaluable efforts and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the center as the vital institution that it is today,” he said. “For many years now, you have continued to cater to the welfare of abandoned and neglected children with special needs, promoting and protecting their rights, showing compassionate care, and providing them with the comfort of a home that is safe and secure.”
He urged the staff to stay committed to their calling—not only in nurturing children to become productive members of society but also in helping them discover and strengthen their own sense of self-worth. Duterte further assured the center of the city government’s unwavering support for its programs and initiatives.
As the Lingap Center moves forward from its 27th year, its story is one of endurance, compassion, and quiet triumphs. Each child cared for, each family reunited, and each life touched is a testament to what can happen when society refuses to leave anyone behind.
For the children who find shelter there, Lingap is more than a facility. It is hope. It is family. And it is proof that even in the face of abandonment, love and care can offer the chance for a brighter future.