CPA Child Development Center lauded

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival hailed the Cebu Port Authority’s Child Development Center (CDC) as a landmark achievement in governance and employer responsibility, declaring it the first of its kind in Central Visayas and a model worth emulating by other government institutions.

The CDC is designed to provide a safe, nurturing, and developmentally-appropriate environment for children under five years old, easing the responsibilities of working parents while promoting holistic child growth.

Its launch signals a growing recognition among government institutions in the region of the need to integrate family welfare into public service.

Speaking before CPA officials, employees, and families during the launch yesterday, Archival stressed the importance of the initiative in supporting working parents while investing in the future of young learners.

“This is the first of its kind in Cebu and should inspire other government institutions to establish similar facilities for their employees and their children,” Archival said.

The CDC was established under the leadership of CPA General Manager Francisco Comendador III and the Board of Directors, with technical guidance from the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council.

ECCD Council representative Newelle Magas delivered the message of Executive Director Dr. Teresita Inciong, who thanked the CPA for advancing the welfare of young Filipino children.

Comendador emphasized that the project is both a workplace support system and a contribution to national priorities.

“This initiative is not only about providing accessible childcare services for our employees. It is also our humble contribution to addressing the broader challenges in early childhood care and development in our country,” he said.

The ceremony featured a ribbon-cutting and blessing of the center, followed by the distribution of Emergency Go Kits donated by the CPA Multipurpose Cooperative.

The cooperative also sponsored uniforms and school bags for learners and teachers, stressing community support for the program.

Archival also stressed that caring for children is a shared responsibility of parents, employers, and the community.

The city government noted that investing in early childhood development helps build a more sustainable, progressive, and compassionate society.

“Taking care of our children is a shared responsibility of parents, employers, and the community. By investing in our young learners today, we help build a more sustainable, progressive, and compassionate society for the future,” he said. — (FREEMAN)