DBM OKs P1-B funding for child development centers in lower income LGUs

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Friday that it has approved the release of P1 billion funding for the establishment of child development centers (CDCs) in local income localities nationwide.

The release came after the ceremonial signing of the joint circular on the establishment of CDCs between the Department of Education (DepEd) and the DBM in Malacanang on Thursday.

“Sa pamamagitan ng mga CDC, magkakaroon ng maayos na pundasyon ang ating mga anak na siya namang magpapatibay sa pundasyon ng ating bansa," said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his speech.

(Through CDCs, our children will have a sound foundation which in turn will strengthen the foundation of our country.)

The President said that 328 low-income local government units will be provided with the funding for the implementation of early childhood care initiatives this year. Of these LGUs, 89 are in Luzon, 106 in the Visayas, and 133 in Mindanao, including the Bangsamoro Region.

“We believe that establishing CDCs across the country is crucial to every Filipino child’s overall well-being before they transition to school,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.

According to the DBM, the CDC “will serve as resource hubs for early learning programs, family support services, and research on child development, effectively addressing existing gaps in the country’s early childhood care.”

Meanwhile, the beneficiaries from the low-income LGUs were already identified and validated by DepEd based on its findings in the Second Congressional Commission on Education Year 2 Report.  — RSJ, GMA Integrated News