Senator Sherwin Gatchalian welcomed the approval of a joint circular that secures funding for the construction of child development centers (CDCs) in fourth- and fifth-class municipalities.
“Allocating funds for the construction of CDCs in needy municipalities across the country is an important step,” said Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education.
The joint circular directs funds through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to support the establishment of CDCs in low-income local government units (LGUs).
A total of P1 billion has been allocated to construct 328 CDCs in these municipalities, aiming to address the shortage of early childhood care facilities.
Gatchalian first proposed using the LGSF to fund CDCs during deliberations on the Early Childhood Care and Development System Act.
His proposal, which was later included in the ratified measure, ensures an annual allocation in the General Appropriations Act for CDC construction, hiring child development teachers and workers, and meeting other human resource needs.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will be coordinating with the Department of Education, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Health to implement the program.
“We can expand the reach of services for early childhood care and development, which provide a strong foundation for our children,” he concluded.
Gatchalian hails gov’t action in advancing early childhood development
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