To boost the delivery of Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) programs and services, P2.46 billion will be allocated for the conversion of daycare centers to child development centers (CDCs) in low-income municipalities, Senator Win Gatchalian said. 

“Habang pinatitibay natin ang access sa mga textbook at tinutugunan ang kakulangan sa mga silid-aralan, huwag din nating kalimutang palakasin ang early childhood education sa antas ng komunidad,” said Gatchalian, pointing out that 3,810 barangays have no CDCs. 

“CDCs build the foundational skills that children need to succeed in school and in life,” he added. 

The allocation will be sourced from the Local Government Support (LGSF) to support fourth- and fifth-class municipalities, Gatchalian explained. According to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, the allocation of these funds is consistent with the implementation of the Early Childhood Care and Development System Act (Republic Act No. 12199), which he authored and sponsored.  

Gatchalian proposed the use of the LGSF for the construction of child development centers in fourth- and fifth-class municipalities. His proposal was carried in the law, which seeks to expand access to ECCD programs and services for children below five years of age.

Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OS GATCHALIAN