Philippines to Boost Early Education with Child Development Centres in Low-Income Areas

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The Philippine government has taken a significant step to combat the nation's learning crisis by establishing Child Development Centres (CDCs) in low-income regions. This initiative underlines the Marcos administration's commitment to ensuring every Filipino learner has access to quality education.

On 3rd April, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) praised the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Education (DepEd) for their joint circular. This action operationalises President Marcos' directive to prioritise the construction of CDCs in 328 low-income local government units (LGUs).

Funding for the initiative will come from the Local Government Support Fund – Financial Assistance to LGUs (LGSF-FA) outlined in the Fiscal Year 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA). This move directly responds to EDCOM II’s findings, highlighting the lack of access to early childhood care and development (ECCD) services in 5,800 barangays across the country.

EDCOM II Executive Director Karol Mark Yee emphasised the importance of investing in early childhood development, stating it reduces school dropout rates and boosts future achievement and income. Current participation in early childhood education services stands at only 21% for children aged 3 to 4, and even less for those aged 0 to 2.

The disparity in accessing ECCD is exacerbated by income inequalities among LGUs, with lower-income areas lacking the special education funds (SEF) of wealthier municipalities. The existing funding model shows first-class municipalities earning 68 times more SEF income than their sixth-class counterparts.

The initiative requires LGUs to submit funding requests, which the DepEd will evaluate and endorse to the DBM for final approval. EDCOM II co-chairmen, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo, expressed strong support for the move.

"This is a crucial step to give our children a strong foundation to succeed," Gatchalian said, while Romulo highlighted the President’s advocacy for strengthening the education system's foundations.

By prioritising early years' investment, the government aims to ensure future generations thrive, truly leaving no Filipino learner behind, reported Manila Bulletin.