By Commission on Human Rights
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) recognizes the National Government’s initiative to expand access to early childhood education by building 300 Child Development Centers (CDCs) in underserved communities all over the country.
This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), reflecting their shared commitment to building an education system that is accessible to everyone.
Formalized through a joint circular between DepEd and DBM, the program directly addresses the urgent need for early childhood care and development in fourth- and fifth-class municipalities that lack adequate infrastructure and support. As cited in reports, approximately 3,800 barangays nationwide remain without CDCs, while an estimated 78 percent of Filipino children under five still lack access to essential early childhood care and development services.
Beyond education, these CDCs also serve as community hubs that help combat child food poverty. They are integral to the implementation of nutrition programs, including feeding initiatives supported by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Article XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution affirms the State’s obligation to provide quality education to all, while Republic Act 6972, or An Act Establishing a Day Care Center in Every Barangay, reinforces this commitment by mandating the establishment and maintenance of daycare centers. This is aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which upholds every child’s right to free and accessible education.
The Commission views this initiative as a vital step in fulfilling the State’s obligation to uphold the rights of every Filipino child — to protection, development and education. Providing early learning opportunities in underserved areas helps break cycles of inequality and promotes every child’s inherent dignity.
As the country’s independent national human rights institution, the CHR urges communities, educators and local government units to work together to ensure that every child gets the learning opportunity they are entitled to, especially the most disadvantaged children.
Education must transcend barriers — geographic, economic, or social — and empower every child to reach their full potential.