Tulay sa Pag-unlad, Inc. (TSPI) Valenzuela branch has received recognition for its complementary effort in educating the poor children of Paso De Blas Day Care Center. The plaque of appreciation was graciously given by Honorable Mayor Sherwin T. Gatchalian of Valenzuela City through the office of Ms. Dorothy G. Evangelista, Officer-in-Charge of City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO).

Ms. Cathy Cativo, Branch Manager of TSPI-Valenzuela, received the award last January 16, 2012. The plaque was given to recognize TSPI’s generous role in supporting the City Government’s Early Childhood Care and Development Program.

Ms. Faye reads a story to the children at Paso De Blas Daycare Center 1.

“We’re elated with the recognition from the Mayor’s office, affirming TSPI’s contribution in bringing development initiative to the grassroots level,” Cativo said upon receiving the award. TSPI has launched its Child Care Project middle of last year. The Child Care Project features the selection and adoption of a Day Care Center situated in an indigent community, using the Child-Friendly Checklist tool of the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Paso De Blas Day Care Center was chosen among the list of six (6) Day Care Centers recommended by the CSWDO and TSPI Client Leaders. Selections were based on the following criteria: high incidence of underweight students, difficulties of parents sustaining the operations of their Day Care Center and willingness of Parents-Teacher Association (PTA) to partner with TSPI Valenzuela Branch.

Aside from turning-over a customized book-casket bearing books and educational toys, TSPI also linked its ministry partner to the PTA to spearhead weekly story-telling sessions at the Day Care Center using the various books donated. Ms. Merry Fie Barientos or Ate Faye, as she is fondly called by the children, visits the Day Care Center every Thursday morning to share stories. Ms. Barientos is the youth volunteer storyteller assigned by the Open Heaven Christian Church, a ministry partner of TSPI Valenzuela Branch.

TSPI supports Republic Act 6972 or the Act establishing A Day Care Center in Every Barangay. Also called the Barangay-Level Total Development and Protection of Children Act, this act ensures the commitment of the state to defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and to provide them with special protection against all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their development.

This article was originally written by Stanley Andrew C. Yu, TSPI Community Development Supervisor.