Senator Mark Villar bats for expanded access to early eye care services

Senator Mark Villar has filed a measure seeking to expand access to early eye care services nationwide as vision impairment continues to pose a silent but serious challenge to learning and development among Filipino children.

Citing data from the University of the Philippines Manila-National Institutes of Health’s Philippine Eye Research Institute (PERI), Villar noted that in a typical classroom of 40 pupils, at least four suffer from vision impairments such as amblyopia or myopia. More than 10 percent of Filipino kindergarten pupils are also affected by poor vision, many of whom remain undiagnosed and untreated.

Health experts warn that uncorrected vision problems significantly hinder learning, as up to 80 percent of classroom information is processed visually. Without early intervention, affected children face long-term challenges in academic performance, social development, and overall quality of life, particularly in underserved communities with limited access to eye care services.

On February 23, 2026, Villar filed Senate Bill No. 1886, also known as the Vision Care for Kids Act, which seeks to establish a grant program to provide comprehensive vision care services for children.

Under the proposed measure, the Department of Health will administer a grant program that will provide funding through local government units to support vision screening, comprehensive eye examinations, and treatment services. Children under eight years old who are identified as needing further assessment by licensed optometrists or ophthalmologists will be prioritized.

The bill also covers the provision of corrective measures, including eyeglasses, medications, and referrals for specialized treatment. Up to 20 percent of the grant funds may be used to develop and distribute educational materials for parents, teachers, and healthcare practitioners to help them recognize early signs of visual impairment in children.

“The eyes are our children’s windows to the world and to knowledge,” said Senator Villar. “When vision issues go undetected, we rob our young learners of their full potential. Senate Bill 1886 is a proactive step to make quality eye care accessible, especially to those in underserved communities, so every child can see clearly and thrive in school and in life.”

“This measure aligns with our constitutional duty to protect children’s rights to health and education,” the Senator added. “By investing in early vision care, we invest in brighter futures for our nation’s youth.”