SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian is urging the Department of the Interior and Local Government to strengthen early childhood care and development (ECCD) programs by mobilizing LGUs to prioritize children’s education, health, and nutrition.

Gatchalian earlier asked Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to outline the department’s plans and policy directions for ECCD, which was recently placed under DILG supervision.

“We are hoping that under the DILG, LGUs can be mobilized and that local chief executives will fully understand the importance of ECCD,” Gatchalian said.

“Early childhood care is not just about education—it’s also about nutrition, safety, and overall development. I’d like to know, based on your experience as a former local executive, what your plans are for ECCD and how the Senate can support the achievement of universal coverage,” he added.

In response, Remulla proposed a mandatory national nutrition program as a key component of early childhood interventions.

“Life expectancy has improved—70 years for men and 71 for women—which shows health care is better, but early childhood interventions are still lacking,” Remulla said.

He emphasized that nutrition is the most neglected aspect of child development and said mandatory feeding programs could significantly raise the average IQ of Filipino children.

Gatchalian, a long-time advocate of education reform and child welfare, expressed support for initiatives that would strengthen ECCD and ensure that every Filipino child receives adequate nutrition and developmental support from the start.