Gatchalian calls for immediate construction of child development centers

A boy assists her sister at a feeding center in BASECO, Manila on May 30, 2016. The recent joint report from UNICEF, WHO and ASEAN shows that several ASEAN countries are facing simultaneous crisis on over and under nutrition among children, which makes them susceptible to illnesses that affects their survival in their early years. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA — Sen. Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian on Friday said local government should ensure that child development centers are put up nationwide nationwide, following the release of P309-million budget aimed at developing young children.

In a release, he said Local Government Units will benefit from the budget allocation for CDCs and make sure the facilities will be constructed on time.

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"The sooner these CDCs become operational, the sooner we can expand access to early childhood care and development (ECCD) programs and services," said Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Education and co-chair of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2).

He said the construction and maintenance of CDCs are in line with the Early Childhood Care and Development System Act. 

"Sa pagsugpo natin sa krisis sa edukasyon, kailangang tiyakin nating may matibay na pundasyon ang ating mga kabataan," he added.

(In addressing our education crisis, we need to ensure our children have a strong foundation)

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The Department of Budget and Management on Thursday announced the release of funds, which followed the guidelines set by the agency and the Department of Education through Joint Circular 2 issued last April.

The program mandates LGUs to provide at least 150 square meters of land, sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council, and take on operational responsibilities to ensure the sustainability of the CDCs.

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Malacañang earlier said it believes that the establishment of more CDCs nationwide will significantly address gaps in early childhood care and development of young Filipinos in the Philippines.