As the Early Childhood Care and Development Council (ECCD Council) transitions into an attached agency of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in 2026, the department will focus on improving the nutritional needs of children during the crucial first 1,000 days of life.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla emphasized the importance of proper nutrition in early childhood, saying it directly affects lifelong development.

“The most critical part of a young person’s development is in the first 1,000 days. And in the Philippines, nutrition seems to be the most deficient part. More than exposure to learning materials, it is nutrition where we are lacking,” Remulla said.

He said enhanced nutritional support during this period could unlock the full potential of Filipino children. The DILG will work closely with local government units (LGUs) to strengthen feeding programs and improve access to nutrition-focused interventions in Child Development Centers (CDCs).

“If we can have better intervention through the mandatory feeding of children, it will go a long way in increasing the mean IQ development of our children,” he added.

Remulla also cited the connection between childhood nutrition and cognitive performance.

“The functional IQ for a working person in a factory in a province in Cavite is about 90, which is functionally literate enough to operate. But the national average is around 86. That is not because of the lack of education but the poor nutritional value of children’s upbringing at a young age,” he said.

To address these gaps, the DILG urged both local and national governments to ensure that every barangay has an operational CDC capable of delivering quality child development and nutrition programs.

Currently, more than 28,000 barangays have CDCs, but more effort is needed to expand access and improve service quality.

Republic Act No. 12199, or the Early Years Act of 2023, mandates LGUs to implement ECCD programs focused on nutrition, education, and holistic care. Under this law, the ECCD Council becomes an attached agency of the DILG, co-chaired by the DILG Secretary and the Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has allotted P1 billion for the establishment of additional CDCs in barangays without such facilities to ensure that more communities can provide early education and nutritional support for children.

Through stronger ECCD implementation and improved nutrition programs, the DILG reaffirms its commitment to giving every Filipino child the best start in life, aiming to build a healthier, smarter, and more capable generation for a Bagong Pilipinas.