DBM OKs P1 billion funding for Child Development Centers in low-income LGUs

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of P1 billion to fund the establishment of Child Development Centers (CDCs) in low-income local government units (LGUs) nationwide.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the release of funds for the project aligns with President Marcos’ directive to invest in education and human capital development.

The President led the ceremonial signing of the Joint Circular on the Establishment of CDCs held at Malacañang on April 3.

“Through these CDCs, our children will have a strong foundation that, in turn, will strengthen the foundation of our nation,” Marcos said in Filipino.

He also announced that 328 low-income LGUs will receive funding to implement early childhood care initiatives this year.

Of this number, 89 LGUs are in Luzon, 106 in the Visayas and 133 in Mindanao, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The joint circular, signed between the Department of Education (DepEd) and the DBM, provides guidelines for LGUs to establish CDCs through the Local Government Support Fund-Financial Assistance to LGUs.

“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.

To effectively address existing gaps in the country’s early childhood care system, the CDCs will serve as resource hubs for early learning programs, family support services and research on child development.

“Through CDCs, our children will have the support and structure that they need even before they enter our classrooms,” DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, for his part, said.

The low-income LGU beneficiaries were identified and validated by the DepEd based on the findings of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) Year 2 Report.