Antique: The 688 Child Development Centers (CDCs) in Antique province are all set to welcome pre-Kindergarten children aged below five years old for the school opening. Social Worker Carla Jee Ann Cabigunda, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) focal person for Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD), said Friday that the CDCs in the province began their Bayanihang Bulilit or the school opening preparations on May 25.

According to Philippines News Agency, Cabigunda expressed gratitude for the assistance of parents, barangay officials, and community members, noting that the CDC workers could not have completed the preparations alone. She mentioned that all school premises have been cleaned, and necessary repair works at the CDCs have been completed with the help of parents and skilled volunteers as of May 29, the last day of the Bayanihang Bulilit initiative.

The school opening for pre-Kindergarten is scheduled for June 15. In addition, Cabigunda highlighted that 230 centers in the province have been recognized by the ECCD Council for meeting the standards that ensure age-appropriate learning and care for children. The ECCD Council is a national government agency tasked with providing policy direction, coordination, and oversight in the implementation of ECCD programs nationwide.

Cabigunda mentioned that the ECCD Council-recognized CDCs are located in eight municipalities of the province, specifically in the towns of Libertad, Tobias Fornier, San Remigio, Culasi, Sibalom, Sebaste, San Jose de Buenavista, and Valderrama.