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BILANG tugon sa pinakabagong ulat ng Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), nangako si former Davao City congressman Karlo Nograles na magiging pangunahing prayoridad niya ang programa para sa early childhood care and development (ECCD) kung saan sa bawat barangay ng lungsod ay magkakaroon ng Child Development Center (CDC).
Ayon kay Nograles, sa pamamagitan ng CDC, ang nasa 182 barangay ng Davao City ay magkakaroon ng kakayanan na labanan ang malnutrisyon, pagkabansot at kahinaan sa pag-aaral ng mga batang residente ng tinaguriang premier city ng Mindanao.
“The EDCOM II report confirms what we have long known—investing in children’s early years is key to ensuring their success in school and life. We cannot let Davao City’s youngest children fall behind due to the lack of proper daycare and feeding programs. Establishing a CDC in every barangay should be the priority of City Hall,” wika ni Nograles, na dating namuno sa Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger ng pamahalaang-nasyunal.
Sa nasabing EDCOM II Year Two Report na may titulong “Fixing the Foundations”, tinukoy ang learning crisis sa bansa at pangangailangang palakasin ang early childhood education kabilang pagtugon sa proper nutrition, learning interventions, at increased access sa CDCs sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon government-run daycare centers para sa mga batang “zeo to four years old”.
Ayon ni Nograles, personal niyang nasaksihan kung paano nakaapekto ang malnutrisyon at pagkabansot sa kakayanan ng mga bata na makapag-aral kung kaya dapat aniyang tutukan ng lokal na pamahalaan ang naturang usapin.
“We must ensure that Davao City allocates its resources for our young. No child should go hungry, and no child should be deprived of a strong early education foundation,” giit ng long-time public servant.
Diin ni Nograles, bagama’t may mga pagbabago sa sektor ng edukasyon ang Davao City, ang EDCOM II report ay dapat magsilbing paalala sa lahat ng lider na tutukan ang early childhood development sa kani-kanilang nasasakupan.
Kaya naman iminungkahi ng three-termer Davao City solon, dagdagan ang pondo para sa CDC, tiyakin na ang bawat barangay ay may trained Child Development Teachers (CDTs) at Child Development Workers (CDWs) para makapagkaloob ng kalidad na early learning at nutrition programs.
“Education starts long before a child enters the first grade. If we fail to provide for their needs in the first five years, we set them up for failure. When we invest in CDCs, we invest in Davao’s future,” paalala ni Nograles.
“We should not wait for the national government before implementing the recommendations of the EDCOM II report. We have the resources for this; it’s a matter of priorities—and I believe our children deserve to be a top priority.”
