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THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the release of P1 billion to fund the establishment of Child Development Centers (CDCs) in low-income local government units (LGUs) nationwide.
DBM Secretary Amenah "Mina" Pangandaman said that the release of funds for the project is in adherence with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to invest in education and human capital development.
CEREMONIAL SIGNING President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center) led the ceremonial signing of the Joint Circular on the Establishment of CDCs held at the Malacañan Palace. Present at the event were DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara (left) and DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman. PHOTO FROM DBM
The President led the ceremonial signing of the Joint Circular on the Establishment of CDCs held at the Malacañan Palace on April 3, 2025.
"Sa pamamagitan ng mga CDC, magkakaroon ng maayos na pundasyon ang ating mga anak na siya namang magpapatibay sa pundasyon ng ating bansa (Through CDCs, our children will have a sound foundation which in turn will strengthen the foundation of our country)," President Marcos Jr. said in his speech.
He also announced that 328 low-income LGUs will be provided with funding for them to access early childhood care initiatives this year. Of this number, 89 LGU beneficiaries will be in Luzon, 106 will be in the Visayas, and 133 in Mindanao, including Barmm.
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The Joint Circular signed between the Department of Education (DepEd) and the DBM provides the guidelines for LGUs to establish CDCs through the Local Government Support Fund-Financial Assistance to LGUs (LGSF-FA).
"We believe that establishing CDCs across the country is crucial to every Filipino child's overall well-being before they transition to school," Sec. Mina said.
The CDCs will serve as resource hubs for early learning programs, family support services, and research on child development, effectively addressing existing gaps in the country's early childhood care.
"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 beneficiaries from low-income LGUs were identified and validated by DepEd, based on the findings of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom II) Year 2 Report.
