Avanceña seeks more child centers

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s partner Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña on Saturday batted for the creation of child- minding centers throughout the country.

Avanceña, together with the members of the Du30 Cabinet

Spouses Association, made the call during a visit to the new childminding center in Davao City.

She encouraged other local government units to “emulate” Davao City’s new child-minding center, where busy working parents can entrust and leave their children for care.

During their visit at the center,

Avanceña and the other spouses of Duterte’s Cabinet officials brought rubber mats, toys, books and groceries.

The wives of Executive Secretary

Salvador Medialdea and Finance

Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd said enabling women to work even as they take care of their family was a “core advocacy” of the Du30 Cabinet Spouses Association.

Grace Frias said the center “does not just give substitute parental care but also provide age- appropriate developmental activities.”

“Facilities like this also address the problem of absenteeism and tardiness prevalent among working mothers,” Frias said.

Child minding centers have been existing in Davao for two decades – one of the reasons why the city has received awards for being the most child-friendly city.

Duterte, who served as mayor of Davao City for several years, planned to put up a child minding center in every district. work and leave their children in their houses. Most of the time, it is the eldest, sometimes only a fouryear-old kid, that will look after his younger siblings,” he had said.

“It is heartbreaking that there

working parents locked them in their house,” he added.

Apart from Avanceña, the members of the Du30 Cabinet Spouses Association are Baby Alonto, Alelee Andanar, Jean Año, Gina Bello, Jo-Ann Camacho, Marifel Castricciones, Lani Cayetano, FerryLou Cui, Ball Dominguez, Kristine Dino, Emmylou Go, Aloy Lim, Malou Lopez, Edith Lorenzana, Ruby Mamondiong, Betty Medialdea, Neny Pernia, Mylah Roque, Mons Romulo, Marisol Tugade and Che Uy.

The Du30 Cabinet Spouses is the association of the spouse of Cabinet secretaries. They engage in socio-civic activities that support and complement the government’s programs.