Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Officer-in-Charge Emmanuel A. Leyco and Undersecretary Hope V. Hervilla welcome the pre-school children after the ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening the newly constructed Child Development Center (left photo) for the employees’ children.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Officer-in-Charge Emmanuel A. Leyco  yesterday (March 8) led the inauguration of the newly-constructed Child Development Center at the DSWD compound.  The new building is a much-improved version of the Department’s old day care center.  It has numerous rooms and has ample spaces for music, art, and playtime.  It also has room for breastfeeding as well as a sleeping room.

The center was built primarily to help DSWD employees ensure the safety and security of their pre-school children even as they – the parents – go about their tasks in the department.

The construction of the center was in line with Executive Order No. 340 “Directing National Government Agencies and Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations to Provide Day Care Services for their Employees’ Children Under Five Years of Age”.

 Surrounded by children during the inauguration, OIC Leyco reminded everybody to remember that children as the most valuable members of society and that on the shoulders rest the future of the country.

“Nakikita natin ang kinabukasan sa kanila.  Itong center na ito ay pag-aalaga sa ating kinabukasan.  Kung hindi natin pahahalagahan ang mga kabataan sa ngayon, ano ang ating magiging kinabuksan (We see the future in the children.  This center is our way of taking care of the future.  If we do not give importance to our children today, what would become of our future),” he pointed out.

OIC Leyco also urged all government agencies, local government units and government owned corporations to comply with EO No. 340 with the development of children as the prime motivation. ###