Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to ensure that a child development center (CDC) rises in every barangay. 

During the hearing on the proposed budget of the DILG and its attached agencies, Gatchalian emphasized that building a CDC in every barangay will help increase enrollment in early childhood care and development (ECCD) programs and services. 

The lawmaker pointed out that 3,810 barangays have no CDC. He added that only 30% of 4.5 million children aged three and four are enrolled in ECCD programs and services in the country. 

“Hopefully in the next three years, we can increase the number of students in ECCD,” said Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance.

Earlier this year, P1 billion from the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) was allotted for the construction of CDCs in low-income LGUs. This aligns with Gatchalian’s proposal, which was incorporated into the Early Childhood Care and Development System Act (Republic Act No. 12199), allowing the use of the Local Government Support Fund to establish CDCs in fourth- and fifth-class municipalities.