Ceremonial Hall, Malacañan Palace
April 3, 2025
“Today we gather with one goal: to create a better and brighter future for our children. Today, our agencies are working hard to make our education system right for our students,” stated President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the ceremonial signing of the Joint Circular on the Establishment of Child Development Centers (CDCs) by the Local Government Units (LGUs) at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacañan Palace.
Speaking before officials of the LGUs, government agencies and other stakeholders, President Marcos Jr. emphasized the vital role of education in shaping the nation’s future.
According to the President, he directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to prioritize and fund the establishment of CDCs, focusing particularly on remote barangays in Mindanao and other low-income municipalities.
“Sa pamamagitan ng suporta natin sa mga lokal na pamahalaan na may limitadong kakayahan na magtayo ng sarili nilang CDCs, mapapabuti natin ang edukasyon ng mahihirap nating mga kababayan,” he said, noting that these CDCs will serve as venues for implementing the Early Childhood Care and Development Center programs and services, especially Early Learning Programs and Family Support Programs.
“Sa pamamagitan ng mga CDCs, magkakaroon ng maayos na pundasyon ang ating mga anak sa siya namang magpapatibay sa pundasyon ng ating bansa,” he added.
For this year, the Administration has identified 328 low-income barangays to receive funding for this initiative. Of this number, 89 will be in Luzon, 106 will be in the Visayas and 133 in Mindanao, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The Chief Executive also highlighted other initiatives, including the First 1,000 Days (F1KD) cash grant under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) which has already been distributed to 68,000 households nationwide, as well as the Supplementary Feeding Program, the School-Based Feeding Program and the Walang Gutom Program.
“My fellow Filipinos, we recognize that education goes beyond what happens just inside the classroom. The government continues to find ways to support our children so they can grow, they can thrive, and reach full potential. Through health and community programs, we remain committed to helping them become productive members of our society,” he stated.
In concluding his message, the President called on the LGUs for their full commitment to ensure the success of the project, emphasizing the need to provide childhood development teachers and workers with the support and resources they require while encouraging community members to take an active role in the CDCs.
“Sa lahat, ipakita natin sa ating kabataan ang pagiging Bagong Pilipino; disiplinado, mahusay, at mahal ang bayan. Let us carry on with our work so that every child can grow up knowing that they are valued, knowing that the hands that guide them belong to the ones who are unyielding in their love for this country,” President Marcos Jr. said in closing.
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