DSWD deputy Sec. Villar post early childhood care in Panamin

On Horse Development Program – Department of Social Welfare and Development Asst Secretary Florita R. Villar (standing 8th – L) is flanked by staff and local DSWD personnel headed by MSWDO Mildred Dela Cuesta (3rd – L) during a courtesy visit to Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino (seated center), in connection with the recent implementation of Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) On Horse Program in Sitio Maylaya, Panamin, one of Malungon’s farthest villages in Sarangani Province. (JoJo Gocotano – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE/ippalma).

DSWD deputy chief inspect ’on horse’ program implementation in Panamin – Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bongbong’ Constantino warmly welcome DSWD Asst. Secretary Florita R. Villar during the latter’s arrival at the Municipal Hall. Villar personally conducted an on site visit at the newly opened Social Welfare Department’s Early Childhood Care and Development [ECCD] On Horse Program in Panamin, Malungon, Sarangani Province. For more information, please visit malungon.blogspot.com (JoJo Gocotano – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE/ ippalma).

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MALUNGON, Sarangani – At least 200 children of the Kaulo and Blaan tribes are expected to avail the benefit to enjoy apposite health care and learning following the formal opening of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Early Childhood Care and Development [ECCD] On Horse Program in Sitio Maylaya, Panamin here in this municipality.

No less DSWD Asst. Secretary Florita R. Villar has spearheaded the recently conducted on site visit at the newly installed project in Panamin, which is also a joint undertaking by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the local government unit of Malungon town.

MSWDO Meldred Dela Cuesta said the ECCD project, which is in correlation with Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino’s priority programs in education, is aimed at providing basic learning centers for poor children who are not capable of going to school because of poverty, transportation problem and other related school needs.

“This early education program for children aging 2-5 years old includes supplemental feeding, vaccination, immunization and other health services. Learning materials will be supplied by UNICEF, while honorariums for daycare workers will be provided by the local government unit,” Dela Cuesta explained. She said UNICEF is also providing horses for the Supervised Neighborhood Play (SNP) workers as sort of transportation and carrier of books and other school materials in going toward their various fields of assignments.

The local SWO-I Irish V. Gonzales said as to present time, aside from the earlier established day care centers, children are expected to temporarily attend classes in various community-provided dwellings, stages, and or even below the tress until such time that they will be constructed with the much needed educational edifice and or preschools.

“We are also expecting the influx of more preschoolers in Panamin, specifically those from the three neighboring villages that are located near the Sarangani-Davao Del Sur border,” Gonzales added.   

ECCD was first opened in Alabel town on early 2011 wherein UNICEF has able to distribute more or less 10 horses to SNP workers as a sort of daily means of transportation in going to their respective learning centers.

Reports said the undertaking is part of the national government’s effort to establish a network of child-friendly models in 5, 300 primary schools and 61 high schools, nationwide. 

    

Constantino said he is always ready to support the ECCD On Horse Program in a bid to educated his people that dwells at the upmost portion of the municipality. “It is my dream to put a dot on poverty, which could only be made possible through education,” said the half-blooded Blaan leader.     

     

Because of Constantino’s active drive in promoting education and other apt community services such as the weekly ‘Lingap sa Barangay Program,’ the local social welfare and development office here headed by Dela Cuesta has been awarded, in two consecutive years, as most outstanding MSWDO by the Association of Local Social Welfare Development Officers in the Philippines Inc (ALSWDOPI)in Davao City on April 27, 2012 and Legaspi, Albay on May 25, 2013. (Isagani Palma – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).