ECCD Council, LGUs to build 300 child centers

The Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council has signed a memorandum of agreement with 57 local chief executives to build more than 300 Child Development Centers (CDCs) in 154 underserved barangays nationwide.

The agreement outlines the implementation of Multi-Purpose Building (MPB) projects by local government units (LGUs) to be used as CDCs.

These centers will be funded through the Local Government Support Fund – Financial Assistance to LGUs (LGSF-FA to LGUs) under the General Appropriations Act.

The signing was witnessed by Education Secretary Sonny Angara and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

“This milestone is a step in the right direction in our collective efforts to fix the foundations of our education system,” said EDCOM 2 Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee.

“This agreement marks the government’s resolute commitment to address our learning crisis, and we laud President Bongbong Marcos’ decisive leadership,” he added.

The signing is in line with Joint Circular No. 2, issued in April 2025 by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Education (DepEd), which governs the implementation of MPB projects in barangays without CDCs.

Under the circular, LGUs must provide land measuring at least 150 square meters for the CDC sites.

LGUs are also required to shoulder any additional construction costs as part of their counterpart obligation.

In addition, LGUs must fund the operations, maintenance and repair of the CDCs, including payment of personnel, utilities and other operational expenses.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address, President Marcos identified early childhood care and development as a key priority of his administration.

“Naglaan tayo ng isang bilyon para makapagtayo ng mahigit tatlong daang Barangay Child Development Centers at Bulilit Centers sa buong bansa,” he said.

The EDCOM 2 Year Two Report revealed that more than 5,800 barangays still lack CDCs, despite a 1990 law mandating the establishment of a daycare center in every barangay.

“We extend our gratitude to DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara and DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman for their decisive action and partnership in our mission to improve the quality of our ECCD system,” Yee said.

“This collaboration shows that the Marcos administration champions education — especially early childhood education — as a top national priority.”