Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara underscored the importance of investing in early childhood care and development, highlighting its role in shaping the future of Filipino children and the nation.

“We need to invest more in the early years of our people to ensure that every Filipino child born today has the chance to dream, to learn, to grow and to contribute to our nation’s progress,” Angara stated during the recent World Bank Philippines Economic Update Development Dialogue.

Citing data from the January 2024 United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report, Angara revealed that a significant number of Filipino children are not enrolled in early learning programs.

Specifically, 78 percent of toddlers are not participating in such initiatives, while 90 percent lack access to early childhood education programs in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

In response to these challenges, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Education, the Department of Health, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development to work together to ensure Filipino children have access to quality education, healthcare, and a nurturing environment.

“Early investments in human capital are hallmarks of a forward-looking society. We must not fall short of nurturing human capital at the onset,” Angara emphasized.

The Education department is also collaborating with local government units to address disparities effectively, recognizing their crucial role in implementing a comprehensive early childhood care and development system.

“Local governments should have the power, purse, and personnel to shape the lives of their youngest constituents. We’ve seen visionary mayors who got creative with their Special Education Fund. They channel resources to children’s nutrition, daycare construction, and livelihood for parents,” Angara noted.