In 1981, Tacurong City only had 13 Day Care Centers. The facilities were unaccredited and supplemental feedings provided corn soya milk, skimmed milk, dried dilis, tableya, and rice to young learners.
Fast forward to 2018, the city now boasts 52 accredited Day Care Centers with 52 dedicated Day Care Workers (DCW). Over 1,500 learners have been taught in these facilities through the years.
All Day Care Workers in the city are accredited and receive Php3000 honorarium. With partnership from NGOs such as Save the Children Organization, they also undergo capability building trainings such as Training on Parent Education Session for DCW, Training of Trainers on Teaching Early Numeracy in Early Years, and DCW Training on Active Learning Methodologies and Material Development among others.
There is also a continuous supplemental feeding from DSWD Region XII where provisions include rice and viands. A partnership with Jollibee Group Foundation also launched the Busog Lusog Talino (BLT) feeding program, which feed 40 of each school’s Grade 1 and 2 pupils that are identified as wasted and severely wasted. The pupils are fed for 136 days within the school year. This year, Jollibee Group Foundation installed an industrial kitchen using Jollibee’s assembly line system for BLT use at New Isabela Central Elementary School.
In 2016, Tacurong City became a recipient of funds from the Early Childhood Care and Development Council for the establishment of National Children Development Center in the amount of Php2.3 million. The center is now operational with a trained Child Development Worker.
All of these developments in the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) programs of the city were presented by City Mayor Lina O. Montilla in front of other local chief executives and government officials during the 2018 Community-Based Early Years Fair organized by the ECCD Council on November 27 in Davao City.
“Sa Tacurong City, sinisiguro namin na pantay ang kalidad ng edukasyon ng mahirap at mayaman.” – Mayor Montilla.(YMR, LGUTac-Info)