CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy together with Adrian Villanueva from Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI), officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) regarding the implementation of the CENTEX Early Childhood Care and Development (CENTEX ECCD) program. 

City Mayor's Office Chief of Staff Shiela Lumbatan said the signing took place on August 4 at the city's Tourism Hall witnessed by AFI Mindanao Area Senior Manager Garrett Paolo Nolasco and City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Department Officer Anecia Tongson.

Lumbatan said Cagayan de Oro was selected as the pilot city for the CENTEX ECCD Program.

"This  1-year teacher training and mentoring program is aimed at enhancing the capabilities of child development teachers," said Lumbatan.

COLLABORATIVE LAUNCH: City Government of Cagayan de Oro, led by Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy, joins forces with Centex Training Institute and Early Childhood Care and Development Community, in partnership with Ayala Foundation and the Department of Education. (CIO photo)

She said the program will be implemented in 10 Child Development Centers (CDC) across several barangays in the city, involving 20 Child Development Teachers (CDT) and school administrators for the school year 2023-2024.

City Councilor Suzette Magtajas-Daba, who leads the Committee on Education, was also there. 

Patricia Uy, the manager of the CENTEX-ECCD Program, Rica Joven, a CENTEX-ECCD Program Officer, Eamon Ulibarri, a CENTEX Training Institute Program Officer, and Joan Acraman, the head of CSWD's Community and Social Development Unit, were present as well. 

Additionally, attendees included community development teachers (CDTs), parents, and young children.

In addition to the MOA signing, Lumbatan said AFI also provided learning resources to the CDTs.