The Early Education Program (EDUCARE) of the Local Government Unit of Naga City bags the Best New Social Technology under the PANATA KO SA BAYAN award of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Naga City Mayor John G. Bongat with Ms. Elsie Romano, the EDUCARE Division Supervisor and Director Arnel Garcia received the trophy and a cash prize from DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano “Dinky” Soliman and Undersecretary Camilo Gudmalin. The awarding ceremony was held at Asian Institute of Management last January 28, 2016 is line with the 65th DSWD Anniversary Celebration.

The Naga City EDUCARE Program was recognized for its creative innovation and combined childcare and early education. This new approach led to the introduction of the School for Early Education and Development (SEED) using the Montessori system. It has since growth to become a key service program with EDUCARE centers catering to pre-school children in all of the city’s barangays.

EDUCARE is a pillar of having “Good Schools” one of the 12 elements of Naga’s Maogmang Lugar vision. The city is committed to the vision of “Education for All” and the Sustainable Development Goals. As human rights – based approach to development, the city is duty bound to uphold the citizens achieve their dreams and goals in life. The programs came about when the City Government in 1990, recognized the need for providing day care services to children ages 3 to 6 years old.

Naga City Mayor John Bongat shared that aside from providing the basic amenities needed at the center, one unit of tablet was also provided to all Day Care Centers. This is to help them in the quick and easy preparation of their lesson plans. Mayor Bongat also shared that the Day Care Workers are given regular trainings for them to enhance/improve their teaching skills. Scholarship program also offered for those day care teachers who are unable to finish their college course. To date, there are 21 day care workers who have completed their course in Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

The “Pagkakilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Bayan (Panata Ko sa Bayan) awards acknowledges the efforts of the individuals, groups, and organizations whose “PANATA” or “VOW” is to share their resources, time and selves in providing for better opportunity for the disadvantage sector.

“Gawad sa Makabagong Teknolohiyang Panlipunan “ is an award given to either a local government unit (LGU),NGO or DSWD, Field Office who has introduced a new and effective social technology who has introduced a new and effective social technology deemed as best practice based on the standard set.# # #eejerusalem