PASIG CITY, August 29, 2019 – In order to promote nurturing care for early childhood development and strengthen support among various sectors to invest on young children, the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council — an attached agency of the Department of Education (DepEd) — in cooperation with Save the Children Philippines, launched the Nurturing Care Framework (NCF) and the ECCD Council Media Packages on August 20.

The launch aimed to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to work synergistically to deepen their understanding of the NCF and to bridge the gaps in integrated service delivery for children ages 0-4 by drawing experiences from successful programming in the communities.

The event also launched ECCD media packages including an animated video primer on Republic Act (RA) No. 10410 (Early Years Act of 2013), instructional videos on early childhood care and development, and an ECCD video primer.

Representing the DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction, Bureau of Learning Delivery (BLD) Supervising Education Program Specialist Jocelyn Tuguinayo highlighted the importance of the ECCD Council’s goals: “Guided by the ECCD Council’s targets, and by working together in implementing the multi-sectoral strategic plans from ECCD to Kinder and Grade 1 to 12 education services, we can assure to achieve our vision by the end of 2030 that no Filipino learners will be left behind.”

Dr. Teresita Inciong, Vice-Chairperson and Executive Director of the ECCD Council, underscored in her keynote address that providing positive learning environment and connection to a child influences his/her holistic development.

“Good health, adequate nutrition, responsive care-giving, security and safety, early learning and social protection are ECCD’s main components for nurturing care development for children. Investing in young children is investing in the country’s future generation,” Dr. Inciong pointed out.

Also present in the event are Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Assistant Secretary Marjorie Jalosjos; UNICEF Chief of Education Section       Isy Faingold; Asia-Pacific Region Network Executive Director for Early Childhood  Evelyn Santiago; National Nutrition Council OIC Executive Director, Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang; Save the Children Philippines; representatives from Sarangani province and Malabon City; and parents, teachers, and selected media outfits.

The event was likewise aimed at keeping with the global and national movement on holistic, multi-sectoral programming for young children and their respective families. The organizers and their partners deemed it fitting and timely to lay down the foundation of dialogue and partnership within the various sectors that support the Filipino families and children, and that key change makers and movers partake in this vision of a better future for the next generation.

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