SouthCot wins 21st Gawad KALASAG as Best Child Development Center

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – San Lorenzo Ruiz Child Development Center this city was declared early this month as the Champion during the 21st Gawad KALASAG as Best Child Development Center by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City, Metro Manila.
Shaun Pumaren, an Early Childhood Care Development Worker of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Child Development Center received from National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Chairperson of the NDRRMC and Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad, Executive Director of the NDRRMC the plaque of recognition, trophy, and the Php300,000 cash incentives.
Pumaren said despite being a first-timer, the facility he managed was able to win the prestigious award.
Some of the initiatives he implemented which considered as excellence in the implementation of the disaster risk reduction and management include the establishment of building materials recovery facility; creation of a training and playground facilities that highlight the use of sand for psychosocial and against fire; planting of herbal garden in the school background; transforming the school into a disaster risk reduction station; taking genuine care to its learners by keeping an active health, food, and medicine log records; and the establishment of a quick response team consist of volunteers, guardians, and parents of the children.
Pumaren added it is not easy to maintain the facility despite the meager salary and financial support he receives from the government.
“It takes a lot of patience and love for the children.” He said,
This 39-year old daycare worker has a five-year experience in teaching daycare children.
Three years ago, he was accredited under the ECCD program having been trained on Early Childhood Education (ECE). To date, he has 60- daycare children ages 3-4 years old under his care.
The Provincial Government of South Cotabato, after seeing the potential of Pumaren’s initiatives decided to make him an entry at the provincial level which he successfully hurdled with flying colors up to the Regional level.
As the only male awardee, among the national winners, he plans to improve the facility through the cash incentives he receives.
His message to his fellow daycare workers, “ Let us continue with our noble works. It takes a lot of patience for the children we serve and transparency to the parents as our partners in the successful implementation of the program.