Programs for Capiz children remain a priority
ROXAS CITY – Programs for the development and welfare of children in Capiz continue to be one of the priority agenda of Governor Victor Tanco.
According to Provincial Officer Nieva Camposano of the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) project in Capiz, the provincial government here, in partnership with the Council for the Welfare and Children (CWC), is sustaining the various programs that would result to the welfare of children, particularly the zero to six years old.
Camposano stressed that giving focus on the needed services for said children is very important to prepare them physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Under the 3-year ECCD project that started in 2006 until 2009, the CWC has already invested more than P11.74 million to fund for the renovation and upgrading of day care centers, barangay health stations as well as procurement of materials and equipments for health, education and day care centers.
Camposano said that the provincial government of Capiz has also poured in some P2.350 million as counterpart for two years of program implementation.
In two years program implementation here, a total of 24 day care centers were renovated while 18 barangay health stations were upgraded, she said, adding that 5 rural health units (RHUs) were also equipped with new medical facilities and equipments, namely, newborn screening equipments, doppler, medical bed for deliveries as well as medicines and micro-nutrient supplements, among others.
She disclosed that day care centers were also provided program and play materials like story books, toys, tables and chairs, while work books for Grade I pupils were also given in some pilot barangays.
For this year, plan for the conduct of training for barangay health workers on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) is underway.
Meanwhile, Camposano revealed that Gov. Tanco has already earmarked some P1 million as counterpart should the CWC grant the request for the expansion of the ECCD project in 4 other towns in Capiz, namely in Jamindan, Pilar, Panitan and Pontevedra.
The ECCD project here, with funding support from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), is implementing the 3-year project in the towns of Dao, Cuartero, Sigma, Maayon and President Roxas. (PIA/Jemin B. Guillermo)