At ChildFund Philippines, we believe that every child deserves a fair start in life—to be healthy, to learn safely, and to dream big. The launch of the EDCOM II Final Report, “Turning Point: A Decade of Necessary Reforms,” is a historic moment for our country. We sincerely thank the commissioners and staff of EDCOM Il for their hard work in creating this 10-year roadmap. This plan is more than just a report; it is a promise to our children, families, and teachers that we will work together to make our schools and communities better.

The report bravely highlights the challenges facing our children. We recognize that many of our youngest children (ages 0 to 4) still struggle with health and nutrition, creating lifelong barriers to learning. To leave no child behind, we must close these gaps and strengthen the systems that support every student’s journey-from early childhood through to college graduation.

ChildFund Philippines is already on the ground, working hand-in-hand with our partners and the government at all levels-including the Department of Education (DepEd), the Early Childhood Care and Development Council (ECCD), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Health (DOH). Our programs are designed to fill these gaps, ensuring that even children in the most remote areas can grow up strong and ready for the world.

We are especially committed to the Report’s focus on three areas where we do our best work:

• Giving Little Ones a Great Start: Supporting early childhood health and learning so kids are ready for school.
• Skills for the Modern World: Helping students develop critical thinking and digital skills to ensure they stay safe and protected while becoming ready for employment or further study.
• Education for Everyone: Making sure that learning is inclusive and reaches every child, regerdless of their background or abilities.

We are also proud to share our Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Framework, developed with DepEd and SEAMEO INNOTECH. This helps children understand their feelings, build friendships, and become resilient-skills that are just as important as reading and math in today’s digital age.

However, we believe a plan is only as good as the lives it changes. We call on our government leaders to ensure that these findings do not remain “just a report.” We must prioritize these reforms with 1) Smart Strategies and clear programs that really work, 2) Fair Policies and Professional Governance that both insulate our education system from political shifts and ensure every child is protected and included, and 3) Real Investment backed by full funding and resources to implement these plans successfully and efficiently.

ChildFund Philippines stands as one with the government, civil society, and most importantly, with the children of the Philippines. We will continue to work tirelessly so that every child can grow up healthy, educated, skilled, and safe.

Let us make this “Turning Point” into a reality for every Filipino child. #BecauseWeNeedEachOtherBecauseWeNeedEachOther