CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS IN MANOLO FORTICH CONDUCT SYNCHRONIZED BAYANIHANG BULILIT 2024

Bayanihang Bulilit 2024: Early Childhood Care and Development

The synchronized Bayanihang Bulilit 2024 commenced in the 61 Child Development Centers (CDCs) in Manolo Fortich on July 29, 2024. The ceremonial opening was held at the Dicklum National Child Development Center in Barangay Dicklum. Present during the ceremonial opening were Dicklum Barangay Captain Reynaldo Mutiangpili, along with the Barangay Council, parents, and teachers.

One of the 10-point agendas of Municipal Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño is "Education for All," which is his top priority. With his support, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWD), led by MSWD Officer Maria Cecilia C. Sajonia, successfully facilitated the implementation of the Early Childhood Care and Development program in the municipality. Equipped with funding from the General Fund and Special Education Fund of the Local Government Unit, the construction of the CDCs began last year.

Bayanihang Bulilit corresponds to Brigada Eskwela in the higher years. Parents and guardians volunteered to clean their children's schools to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for their children. Christalynne Pinara from Barangay Tankulan was one of the parents who participated in Bayanihang Bulilit 2024. “Naa ko diri NCDC kay ania ang akoang anak nga 4 years old, diri nagtungha. Diri nako gipa eskwela ang akoang anak kay kabalo ko ang NCDC naa gyud siyay mahatag more development sa bata. Anaa pod ko karon aron mag-volunteer sa pagpanghinlo sa eskwelahan sa akong anak para sa ilang safety, protection, ug iwas sa mga sakit,” stated Christalynne.

The CDC is a project under ECCD that caters to children ages 0-4 years old. Manolo Fortich ECCD Focal Person Catherine Palomar emphasized the importance of early childhood learning and development, as these stages involve the human brain rapidly learning and gathering information from its surroundings. “Kani man gud siya nga stage ang gitagaan og pagtagad kay mao kini siya ang critical nga stage nga ma-develop ang different domain sa usa ka bata. Pinaka-una is ang physical domain, mao na siya ang pag-develop sa mga gross motor ug fine motor sa usa ka bata. Isa pod sa kinahanglan e-develop nato is mao ang social/emotional domain, dira ang interaction sa mga bata sa ilang mga isig ka bata pod ug sa mga adult. Usa pod tagaan pod nato og pagtagad ang self-help, ang mga bata mahimong independent,” explained Palomar during her interview.

Barangay Captain Mutiangpili also expressed his support for the ECCD, highlighting the importance of parents’ and guardians’ involvement in their child’s development. “Maong naa kita diri aron nga ma-prepare ang skwelahan sa atong mga bata. Ang importante ang atong mga bata, bata palang mahatagan na nato ng maayong panimula sa ilang pag-eskwela. Sa katong nay mga bata nga atong gipadala diri, ayaw ihatag tanan nga responsibilidad sa teacher kay mas dako ang responsibilidad sa ginikanan o sa guardian para maging maayos ang resulta sa bata.”

The NCDC in Dicklum serves as the ECCD Council's community-based program. It aims to strengthen community involvement in early childhood care and development. It operates as a focal point for coordinated efforts related to ECCD. It also serves as a repository for data and documents related to programs and services provided by ECCD to the community.