Senator Win Gatchalian lauded the recent signing of a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) that will pave the way for the establishment of Child Development Centers (CDCs) in fourth and fifth-class municipalities across the country.

The initiative, which channels funding through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), allocates ₱1 billion for the construction of 328 CDCs in low-income local government units (LGUs).

Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, originally proposed the use of the LGSF to support the establishment of CDCs during deliberations on the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System Act. His proposal, which was adopted in the final version of the law, ensures that allocations under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) will cover not just CDC construction, but also the hiring of Child Development Teachers and Workers, and other related human resource needs in under-resourced municipalities.

A recent Year Two Report by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) revealed that around 5,800 barangays still lack CDCs, with 229 of these located in fourth and fifth-class LGUs.

“This funding marks a significant step in addressing early childhood development gaps in the country,” said Gatchalian. “By building more CDCs in underserved areas, we strengthen the foundation of learning and care for our young children.”