MSSD Minister Atty. Raissa Jajurie graces the turnover ceremony of a newly constructed Daycare Learning Center to Barangay Macasandag in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte on Nov. 21, 2024.
PARANG, MAGUINDANAO—A new daycare center is now ready to operate, further enhancing the support available for early childhood development in this town following a successful turnover of the facility on Nov. 21, 2024.
Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) Minister Atty. Raissa Jajurie officially turned over the Child Development Center to Barangay Macasandag in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte.
The newly constructed facility was financed through the ministry’s Child and Youth Welfare Program (CYWP) and will benefit the 63 Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) learners in the barangay.
Across the region, operational and accessible daycare centers are essential for fostering the learning capacity of children as young as two years old.
“Bahagi ng trabaho natin bilang social welfare agency ang siguraduhin ‘yung mga institution tulad ng isang daycare center ay gumagana at maging bahay o lugar na nakakapag-alaga ng mga bata,” Jajurie said.
[Part of our job as a social welfare agency is to make sure that institutions such as daycare centers are working and become homes or places that can take care of children.]
She also emphasized that one of the important characters in the early stages of children’s lives is their parents, especially in shaping their personalities and values.
“Sa early childcare and development— ang klaro ay ang mga bata sa early stages ng kanilang buhay ay doon sila napo-form, don nahuhubog ang kanilang personalidad at kanilang values na dadalhin nila hanggang sa sila ay adults,” she added.
[In early childcare and development— it is apparent that children develop their lives at the early stages where personality and values are formed until they become adults.]
MSSD also distributed caps, tumblers, umbrellas, and snacks for ECCD learners. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) -Philippines provided learning materials and ECCD starter kits.
For the acceptance of the building, the Chairman of Brgy. Macasandag Norodin Salik showed gratitude to the regional government.
“We are very thankful for the daycare center given to us. It will help our children to learn, Inn Shaa Allah,” the chairman said.
Parang Mayor Cahar Ibay, represented by Municipal Councilor Zacaria Casim, Provincial Social Welfare Officer for Maguindanao del Norte Hadja Emma Ali, Regional Focal Person for the Child and Youth Welfare Program Johynne Amilyn Nasa, and Parang Municipal Social Welfare Officer Hadja Barbara Guialel graced and supported the event. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
