DAVAO DEL NORTE (PIA) – Tagum’s "Start Young" Program recently reaped the Gawad Edukampyon for Early Childhood Care and Development Award under the Component Cities Category.

During the Gawad Edukampyon for Local Governance Awarding Ceremony, Tagum City was acknowledged for its intensified implementation of "Start Young" which is the city's blueprint for delivering an expansive and multi-sectoral approach on championing early childhood programs.

Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon received the award at the Novotel Manila, Araneta City in Quezon City, Metro Manila last June 3, 2022.

The Department of Education's Gawad Edukampyon for Local Governance aims to nurture and recognize well-meaning public servants, inspire selfless service, and celebrate outstanding achievements and innovations of LGUs in the fields of Local Governance, Capacity Development, Early Childhood Care and Development, and Learning Continuity Innovation, championing education and the welfare of the communities.

Tagum City's advocacy for child welfare is made concrete through the LGU's Early Childhood Care and Development Council (ECCDC) and the leadership of Mayor Allan L. Rellon.

This has created considerable support for the Tagumenyo children by forming and empowering alliances of the same cause, as well as by providing resources that ensure the children's health and nutrition, safety, and education.

The Start Young program under the Rellon governance was able to push forward the conversion of Daycare Teachers to Child Development Teachers, updating their functions and incentives.

The program also institutionalizes the Children's Festival in 2019 highlighting children's roles, rights, skills and abilities; the implementation of the brainchild donation drive, "Bulilit Tabang Skwela", supplying additional learning resources at the plight of the pandemic; and has installed the "Bulilit Lababo  (washbasins)" across different barangays ensuring sanitization while transacting at learning centers, among others.

Moreso, optimal health and nutrition are prioritized under the program by organizing partnerships with the Zuellig Family Foundation, Hapag-ASA, and the City Health Office – all continually aiding in the development of providing timely and effective service for the children's well-being. (Report from CIO Tagum/ JMDA/PIA XI)