By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr.

The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and the Early Childhood Care Development (ECCD) Council implemented a training program for social welfare and development officers (SWDOs) in the country. 

Dubbed Leading and Managing and Integrated ECCD Program (LMIEP), the training course aims to enhance the competencies of SWDOs to effectively lead and manage their respective Child Development Centers (CDCs) and Day Care Centers (DCCs). 

MMSU Graduate School (GS) Dean Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., the LMIEP project leader, said a total of 131 social workers from various towns and cities in Region I have completed the training course this year.     

Dr. Manzano said the participants took the course through distance learning delivery mode. Selected faculty from the MMSU-GS and College of Teacher Education (CTE) were tapped as flexible learning tutors while ECCD personnel served as lecturers. 

The participants took the training on August 17 to September 11, 2020 (first phase), September 14 to November 21, 2020 (second phase), and November 23 to December 5, 2020 (third phase). 

In the first phase, the trainees were taught on five modules: Understanding the Broader ECCD Work Context; ECCD Quality Standards and Guidelines; Successful Practices in Delivering Integrated ECCD Services; Stakeholders’ Analysis for Sustainable Partnerships for ECCD Programs; and Re-entry Strategic Action Planning (RSAP). 

Under the second phase, the trainees implemented and documented major activities identified in their RSAPs. Monitoring of trainees and focus group discussions via social media platforms were also conducted to facilitate the implementation of action plans. 

In the third phase, the trainees were taught how to become an integrative leader and to deliver good ECCD practices. Their strengths and areas for improvement were determined, and they were equipped with necessary tools for their continuous professional growth and development. 

After the three phases, the participants continued to implement their action plans of transforming their respective CDCs, according to Dr. Manzano. 

He added that social workers need to be prepared, resourceful, collaborative and resilient in leading and managing CDCs amidst a challenging operating landscape.

Republic Act 10410 mandates the institutionalization of a National System for ECCD that is comprehensive, integrative and sustainable which involves multi-sectoral and inter-agency collaboration. (StratCom)