BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in early childhood education as the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) formally signed a Joint Circular to establish Child Development Centers (CDCs) in underserved communities. The ceremonial signing, held at Malacañang Palace, marks a major milestone in the country’s effort to provide young Filipino children with quality early learning opportunities.

The Joint Circular, signed by Education Secretary Sonny Angara and Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, provides clear guidelines for local government units (LGUs) to establish CDCs with funding support from the Local Government Support Fund – Financial Assistance to LGUs. The move directly addresses gaps identified in the EDCOM II Year 2 Report, which highlighted the limited access to early learning facilities, particularly in low-income areas.

“Early childhood education is a game-changer. It shapes lifelong learning outcomes and impacts the trajectory of a child’s future,” Secretary Angara said, underscoring the importance of early childhood education in breaking the cycle of learning poverty.

Under the FY 2025 General Appropriations Act, funds will be allocated for the construction, rehabilitation, or upgrading of multipurpose buildings (MPBs) that will serve as CDCs. Low-income LGUs identified in the EDCOM II study will be prioritized for funding, ensuring that support reaches communities with the greatest need.

Under the guidelines of the Joint Circular, LGUs must submit funding requests through the DBM Apps Portal, with DepEd evaluating and endorsing eligible projects. Once approved, funds will be released to LGUs, which must provide at least 150 square meters of land and shoulder operational costs, including teacher salaries and utilities.

“The investment we make in early childhood education today determines the kind of nation we build tomorrow. This is not just about education; it is a nation-building strategy,” Angara added.

The government’s commitment to ECCD transformation reflects a collective responsibility— one that requires collaboration among national agencies, local leaders, educators, families, and the private sector. With the signing of the Joint Circular, the administration moves forward with a bold vision: a Bagong Pilipinas that nurtures its children from the very start, ensuring that no child is left behind.

*All Photos from Deped