MAKATI City Mayor Abby Binay revealed the secret behind her city’s strong performance in the National Achievement Test (NAT) during campaign sorties in Quezon province.

Running under Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas, Binay emphasized the role of early childhood education in shaping academic success.

During her visit, Binay met with local officials and community leaders in Tayabas and Lucena cities. Her first stop was the New Tayabas City Hall, where she was welcomed by Mayor Maria Lourdes ‘Lovely’ Reynoso-Pontioso and other officials.

Binay credited Makati’s innovative daycare program for the city’s exemplary NAT scores, highlighting the importance of strong foundational education.

“We have a good daycare program in our city, and that’s our secret behind our high marks in the National Achievement Test,” Binay said.

She explained that Makati ensures quality education from daycare and pre-kindergarten levels, allowing students to develop strong literacy skills early on.

“Starting from kindergarten, daycare, and pre-kinder, we take care of the children. By Grade 3, our students are already excellent readers and have strong literacy skills,” she added.

Makati’s public schools outperformed regional and national averages in the 2023-2024 NAT for Grade 6 students, according to the Department of Education. The city’s early education programs, combined with investments in teacher training and digital learning tools, were credited as key contributors.

Binay emphasized that replicating such programs nationwide could improve public education quality across the country.

In addition to education, Binay also highlighted her advocacy for free maintenance medicines, particularly for senior citizens, reiterating this commitment during her Ugnayan sa Barangay visit to Barangay Lakawan, Tayabas.