A first-of-its-kind facility for children with Down syndrome is set to be built in the Philippines, with construction scheduled to begin soon at the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center (BRHMC) in Legazpi City, Albay, the NORFIL Foundation, Inc. said.

"The Hub aims to break down barriers and provide essential services for children with Down syndrome through a state-of-the-art site, advanced medical equipment, and professional (para) medical staff," the organization said.

The project, led by NORFIL Foundation in partnership with BRHMC, seeks to break down barriers in healthcare accessibility for children with the condition.

In a Facebook post, NORFIL said Dr. Eric Raymond N. Raborar, BRHMC’s medical chief, and Dr. Mariegella Ciocson, head of the hospital’s pediatrics department, will be committed fully to the initiative.

During a recent meeting in Legazpi, NORFIL’s project consultant, Architect Don de Vera, presented the facility's plans to interested contractors from Metro Manila and the Bicol Region.

Engineers and architects from BRHMC, under the Department of Health (DOH), also participated as part of the project's Technical Working Group.

The construction project is supported by the Paul Foundation, a donor from the Netherlands, and Liliane Fonds, which has been backing the initiative from its early stages.

"The next milestone will be the groundbreaking in March," the NORFIL foundation said.

Once completed, the Down Syndrome Hub will serve as a dedicated space for children to receive specialized care.