Early childcare and development: a national priority

In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure quality education for Filipino children, more child development centers (CDCs) would be built in the country's underserved areas, according to Education Secretary Sonny Angara, as he emphasized the significance of giving support for early childhood education, especially in low-income areas.

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"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," he said, and emphasized that this is a "game-changing enabler."

Although Republic Act No. 8980 was enacted in 2000, or 25 years ago, at least 3,800 barangays in the country have no CDCs, according to the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council.

Republic Act No. 8980, also known as the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Act, establishes a national policy and system for ECCD in the Philippines, aiming to improve child survival, development, and transition to primary school, while also enhancing caregiver capabilities and establishing quality standards for ECCD programs.