The government says its decision to establish Child Development Centers (CDCs) in low-income areas proof of the Marcos administration's resolute commitment to address the learning crisis and ensure that no Filipino learner is left behind.

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) on Thursday, April 3, lauded the Department of Budget and Management (DMB) and the Department of Education's (DepEd) move to sign a joint circular, which operationalized President Marcos' directive to prioritize funding for the construction of CDCs in 328 low-income local government units (LGUs).

The support will be made available through the Local Government Support Fund – Financial Assistance to LGUs (LGSF-FA) under the Fiscal Year 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA). This initiative directly responds to EDCOM II’s findings, which highlighted the lack of access to ECCD services in 5,800 barangays nationwide.

"Studies show that early childhood care and development is a critical investment that reduces dropouts in school, improves likelihood of mastering foundational skills, and even boosts achievement and income many years later in life," EDCOM II Executive Director Karol Mark Yee said.

"This major investment signals the resolute commitment of the government in addressing our learning crisis and ensuring that no Filipino learner is left behind," he added.

EDCOM findings show that early childhood education participation is only at 21 percent for 3 to 4 year old children, and even less for children aged zero to two.

The Commission’s Year Two Report also highlighted how access to ECCD is made inequitable due to inability of lower-income LGUs to fund early childhood interventions as a result of having limited special education funds (SEF). Based on the old LGU income classification, EDCOM findings show that first class municipalities have SEF income 68 times more than their sixth class peers.

Under the circular's guidelines, LGUs must submit their funding requests which will then be  evaluated and endorsed by DepEd to DBM for final approval.

EDCOM II co-chairmen, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo, lauded the signing.

“This is a crucial step to give our children a strong foundation to succeed. By building these CDCs in low-income LGUs, we are ensuring equitable support for ECCD programs and services," Gatchalian said.

"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. Investing in the early years is one of the best steps that the government can take in ensuring that future generations thrive," Romulo said.