An official of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) lauded on Thursday the government’s PHP1 billion investment to fund the construction of Child Development Centers (CDCs) in low-income local government units (LGUs).
The initiative, a joint effort of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Education (DepEd) upon the recommendation of EDCOM II, targets 328 LGUs that lack access to early childhood care and development (ECCD) services and was formalized through aFAC joint circular signed on April 3 in Malacañang, witnessed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“This major investment signals the resolute commitment of the government in addressing our learning crisis and ensuring that no Filipino learner is left behind,” said Karol Mark Yee, EDCOM II executive director.
Drawn from the Local Government Support Fund under the 2025 national budget, the funding aims to bridge a gap identified in EDCOM II’s Year 2 report, which found that around 5,800 villages across the country remain without ECCD services.
Participation rates are also alarmingly low — only 21 percent of children aged 3 to 4 are enrolled in early learning programs, and rates are even lower for children under three.
Yee pointed to inequitable funding capacity among LGUs as a major barrier, with first-class municipalities earning up to 68 times more in special education funds than sixth-class ones.
Under the joint circular, LGUs must apply for funding through DepEd, which will evaluate and endorse requests to DBM.
In return, recipient LGUs must provide at least 150 square meters of land for the centers and shoulder operational costs, including staff salaries.
“This is a crucial step to give our children a strong foundation to succeed,” Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, EDCOM II co-chairperson, said.
His counterpart in the House of Representatives, Rep. Roman Romulo, commended President Marcos for backing the effort, saying: “It is comforting to know that no less than the President is a strong advocate for our mission to fix the foundations of our education system.” (PNA)