New daycare centers get P1B funding
THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the release of P1 billion to fund the establishment of Child Development Centers (CDCs) in low-income local government units (LGUs) across the country. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the release of funds for the project was in adherence with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to invest in education and human capital development. "We believe that establishing CDCs across the country is crucial to every Filipino child's overall well-being before they transition to school," Pangandaman said. Together with Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Pangandaman signed the joint circular which provides the guidelines for setting up CDCs through the Local Government Support Fund-Financial Assistance to LGUs. The President witnessed the signing of the agreement that would further implement the 34-year-old Republic Act (RA) 6972, requiring such centers in every barangay. During the signing ceremony in Malacañang, Marcos announced that 328 low-income barangay will receive funding to establish CDCs this year. He said 89 of the barangay were in Luzon, 106 in the Visayas and 133 in Mindanao. "Too many children do not have the structured care that they need in their formative years, and these challenges have been accumulating for the past 30 years and cannot be solved overnight," the President said. The need for more CDCs emerged following reports from the Early Childhood Care and Development Council that at least 3,800 villages have yet to set up daycare facilities. The number was a far cry from the intention of RA 6972, or the Barangay-Level Total Development and Protection of Children Act, that was enacted in November 1990. In its Year Two Report, "Fixing the Foundations," the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EdCom 2) noted that at least 5,800 villages, of which 229 belong to low-income LGUs, still have no CDCs. There are 1,642 cities and municipalities, and 42,011 barangay in the country as of 2024, data from the Department of the Interior and Local Government showed. "Even though it is not primarily the National Government's responsibility, a collective effort with local governments is necessary," Angara said during a press briefing on Thursday. He emphasized the role of early childhood education in "breaking the cycle of learning poverty."
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the release of P1 billion to fund the establishment of Child Development Centers (CDCs) in low-income local government units (LGUs) across the country.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the release of funds for the project was in adherence with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to invest in education and human capital development.
"We believe that establishing CDCs across the country is crucial to every Filipino child's overall well-being before they transition to school," Pangandaman said.
Together with Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Pangandaman signed the joint circular which provides the guidelines for setting up CDCs through the Local Government Support Fund-Financial Assistance to LGUs.
The President witnessed the signing of the agreement that would further implement the 34-year-old Republic Act (RA) 6972, requiring such centers in every barangay.
During the signing ceremony in Malacañang, Marcos announced that 328 low-income barangay will receive funding to establish CDCs this year.
He said 89 of the barangay were in Luzon, 106 in the Visayas and 133 in Mindanao.
"Too many children do not have the structured care that they need in their formative years, and these challenges have been accumulating for the past 30 years and cannot be solved overnight," the President said.
The need for more CDCs emerged following reports from the Early Childhood Care and Development Council that at least 3,800 villages have yet to set up daycare facilities.
The number was a far cry from the intention of RA 6972, or the Barangay-Level Total Development and Protection of Children Act, that was enacted in November 1990.
In its Year Two Report, "Fixing the Foundations," the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EdCom 2) noted that at least 5,800 villages, of which 229 belong to low-income LGUs, still have no CDCs.
There are 1,642 cities and municipalities, and 42,011 barangay in the country as of 2024, data from the Department of the Interior and Local Government showed.
"Even though it is not primarily the National Government's responsibility, a collective effort with local governments is necessary," Angara said during a press briefing on Thursday.
He emphasized the role of early childhood education in "breaking the cycle of learning poverty."
