BEYOND BUDGET
Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
Last April 3, we witnessed another milestone in our commitment to serving our kababayans and ensuring the country's sustainable growth and development. I was deeply honored to stand with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PBBM) as he led the ceremonial signing of the joint circular for the establishment of Child Development Centers (CDCs). This joint initiative of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Education (DepEd) is a response to the limited access to early childhood care and development facilities, particularly in low-income areas.
For those who may not know, Republic Act (R.A.) No. 6972 or the Barangay-Level Total Development and Protection of Children Act, enacted in 1990, mandates the creation of at least one daycare center in every barangay to provide comprehensive care and protection for children.
However, in a report titled, “Fixing the Foundations: A Matter of National Survival EDCOM II Year Two" presented during the March 4 sectoral meeting, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), a national commission tasked to undertake a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of the performance of the Philippine education sector under RA 11899, noted that many barangays in the country are still yet to have a CDC.
As a result, families identified the lack of nearby CDCs as one of the primary barriers that prevented them from enrolling their children in early childhood development programs. Parents must travel long distances, leading to higher transportation expenses and scheduling difficulties, especially for working mothers. Most parents prefer CDCs to be within a 10-minute walking distance from their homes.
With this, the EDCOM II recommended ensuring the availability of at least one CDC in every barangay, with the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council focusing on supporting at least 10 percent of the total number of municipalities without CDCs, targeting those classified as fifth-class municipalities.
True to PBBM’s 2024 State of the Nation Address, where he emphasized and committed that, “Our system of education must be strategically calibrated,” the President directed the DBM to allocate funds to address the need for CDCs.
In response to the President’s directive, we at the DBM immediately approved ₱1 billion through the Local Government Support Fund-Financial Assistance to LGUs (LGSF-FA) to provide the identified low-income LGUs with much-needed funding to facilitate the construction of basic childcare service facilities.
In his speech during the signing, PBBM announced, “For this year, we have identified 328 low-income barangays that will now be provided with funding for them to access early childhood development initiatives. Of this number, 89 will be in Luzon, 106 will be in the Visayas, [and] 133 in Mindanao, including [99 in] BARMM.” Indeed, this is another promise being fulfilled.
I am extremely proud of this initiative that supports the formative years of our children. I believe that establishing CDCs across the country is crucial to every Filipino child’s overall well-being before they transition to school. The right to education begins at birth, with the period up to age eight characterized by remarkable brain development. Thus, providing children at this stage with learning opportunities lays the foundation and empowers them to reach their full potential as adults. I truly believe that CDCs are not mere buildings but symbols of hope, opportunity, and progress.
Further, I strongly agree with DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara that aside from serving as resource hubs for early learning programs and family support services, CDCs also act as hubs for research, data-driven interventions, and continuous training for ECCD practitioners.
Under the JC, the funds appropriated for the LGSF-FA under the FY 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) shall be used to finance the construction, rehabilitation, or upgrading of multi-purpose buildings (MPBs) that will serve as CDCs. This includes expenses related to construction, concreting, and improvements.
In turn, beneficiary LGUs must provide land of at least 150 square meters for the CDCs and cover any additional construction costs. They are also responsible for the operation and maintenance of the CDCs, including personnel salaries and utilities. Considering the upcoming National and Local Elections on May 12, 2025, all disbursements must comply with the provisions of the Omnibus Election Code.
The LGUs must submit their funding requests digitally through the Digital Requests Submission for Local Government Support Fund (DRSL) available in the DBM Apps Portal. Once requests are submitted, the DepEd will evaluate and endorse eligible LGUs and the proposed funding amounts to the DBM for evaluation, according to the provisions of Local Budget Circular No. 161, and for final approval.
Beyond budget, the establishment of CDCs in underserved barangays reaffirms the PBBM administration’s commitment to investing in and securing the future that nurtures its greatest asset, its children. Join us as we forge the path to a sustainable, inclusive, and future-proof Bagong Pilipinas where no child is left behind.
(Amenah F. Pangandaman is the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management.)