Parents bring their babies to the Department of Health launching of Vax-Baby-Vax, a 10-day Intensive Routine Catch-up Immunization program, which aims to catch-up in the delay or lack of vaccine among infants because of Covid-19 restrictions. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file

MANILA — Malacańang believes that the establishment of more Child Development Centers (CDC) nationwide will significantly address gaps in early childhood care and development of young Filipinos in the country.

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Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the statement a day after the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) signed a Joint Circular for the establishment of over 300 CDCs nationwide. 

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She noted studies presented during the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom) which showed the importance of investing in early childhood care and development to improve the performance and success of Filipino students.

"Ito ay nagmumula sa pagkabata pa lang. Kaya inirekomenda agad-agad na ito yung dapat nating tutukan, at nagkaroon ng rekomendasyon na magkaroon ng Child Development Centers, agad itong inayunan ng ating Pangulo,” Castro said in a televised briefing.

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Under the agreement signed Thursday, the government will allocate P1 billion for the construction of CDCs in 328 low-income LGUs. 

“These CDCs are venues for the implementation of Early Childhood Care and Development Center programs and services, especially the Early Learning Programs and Family Support Program. Sa mga centers na ito, maaaring makapaglaro, makapagbasa, at makapag-aral ang ating mga kabataan,” President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. said Thursday.

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“It can also be used as a resource center for developmentally appropriate learning materials and a laboratory for conducting research, data gathering, and innovations about early childhood," he added.

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Marcos earlier directed the DBM to prioritize and to fund the establishment of CDCs, especially in the more remote barangays of Mindanao and other low-income municipalities.

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