CEBU, Philippines - Almost 400 pre-schoolers from the 13 cities and 4 provinces recently converged to compete for the Annual Children’s Contest organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Field office-7 held at the SM City Cebu Entertainment Plaza.
The activity showcased the talents of the children 3-5 years old from the government’s Day Care Centers region wide. The regional contest is organized every year so winners from the different cities and provinces can meet and show off their talents to a larger audience. Some came as far as Bayawan City in Negros Oriental.
Basay, Negros Oriental won the Draw and Tell category; Dumaguete City took the second place; and Lapulapu City got third place.
For the Folk Dance category, Talisay City bagged first place, followed by Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City.
Now on its 19th year, the contest was themed “Kung Bright Child ang Gusto, Mundo’y Ingatan Mo!”
Conceived in l993, the activity hopes to raise public awareness on the importance of early childhood care and development and the role of the child in the Filipino family.
Josephine Belotindos, DSWD-7 specialist on child development, said the activity is part of their advocacy to inform the public of the crucial role day care centers play in preparing children for the world of formal education.
Belotindos added, “In day care centers, the DSWD focuses on values formation and developing children’s personality and talents, so by the time they enter pre-school and grade school, they already have self confidence.”
Under Republic Act 6972, which took effect in l990, every barangay is required to establish a daycare center to promote “total development and protection of children” aged three to five years old.
DSWD Regional office record shows some 3,968 Day Care Centers (DCC) all over Central Visayas catering to approximately 100,000 children already. PR