328 barangays get P1-B fund for establishment of child dev’t centers
- humanrightspromotion
- 35 minutes ago
- 3 min read
From the Website of PNA NEWS
328 barangays get P1-B fund for establishment of child dev’t centers
MANILA – A total of 328 low-income barangays across the country will receive a PHP1-billion funding from the government to help them establish Child Development Centers (CDCs).
This, as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the signing of a joint circular between the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday in Malacañang.
The circular provides guidelines for local government units (LGUs) to establish CDCs funded through the Local Government Support Fund-Financial Assistance to LGUs.
The initiative follows Marcos’ directive to the DBM last month to fund the establishment of CDCs in 4th and 5th class municipalities as a response to the limited access to early childhood care and development facilities, particularly in low-income areas.
Marcos said low-income barangays would receive the funding this year -- 89 barangays will be in Luzon, 106 in the Visayas, and 133 in Mindanao, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
In his message, Marcos said 3,800 barangays have yet to have CDCs despite the enactment of Republic Act 6972 which required each barangay to have at least one.
“Too many children do not have the structured care that they need in their formative years. These challenges have been accumulating for the past 30 years and cannot be solved overnight. But that does not mean we should not begin. It should no longer be the case,” Marcos said.
The President said the establishment of CDCs would be critical in addressing this gap as these would serve as venues for implementing early childhood care and development center programs and services, including early learning programs and the family support program.
He called on the LGUs to ensure the successful implementation of the program.
“To our LGUs, we need your full commitment to ensure the success of the project. You must provide our childhood development teachers and workers with the support and resources that they need while encouraging our community members to take an active role in the CDCs,” Marcos said.
He also called on parents to play an active role in their children's early education, urging them to read stories to their young ones.
“It is time well invested,” he said.
Story-telling
Prior to gracing the signing of the joint circular, Marcos held a storytelling activity with children aged three to five years old where he said he had “much of a good time.”
“I have to admit I was having too much of a good time. So, I actually asked if I could just stay there all day. But apparently duties call,” he said.
“But nonetheless, it’s always a joy to see the Palace filled with a new energy, with a new laughter, the curiosity of children. As I’m sure you understand, sometimes the Palace is a very serious, very formal place. And when children come in, it reminds us what we are doing – why we are doing what we are doing,” he went on.
Fund approved
On Friday, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it has approved the release of PHP1 billion to fund the establishment of the CDCs.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved the release of fund for the project, in line with President Ferdinand R. 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. (with reports from Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos/PNA)
PNA NEWS
links
OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTIONS WEBSITES Human Rights Advocacy Promotions | Human Rights Home - Human rights Promotions Website HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTIONS PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------
コメント