Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
Responding to data-driven gender concerns within its workforce, Central Mindanao University (CMU), through the Center for Gender and Development (CGAD), officially launched its Child-Minding Facility on February 27, 2026, at the CGAD Building.
The ceremony opened with a Holy Mass and was followed by a ribbon-cutting led by University President Dr. Rolito G. Eballe, together with CGAD Chief Dr. Teresita B. Borres and Vice President for Administration Prof. Hermie P. Pava.
The establishment of the facility is anchored on the University’s 2025 Sex-Disaggregated Data (SDD), which revealed that nearly 30% of young female employees are parents of children aged three to six years old, while another 25% are caring for children in Grades 1 to 3. Notably, 46% of these working women belong to lower salary grades, many of whom are employed under Job-Order (JO) or Contract-of-Service (COS) arrangements with limited financial security and benefits.
The data underscored the growing challenge faced by working parents, particularly women, in balancing professional responsibilities with childcare duties. The increasing cost and limited availability of reliable household childcare services in the local labor market further amplified the need for institutional intervention.
In his message of support, University President Dr. Rolito G. Eballe emphasized that the Child-Minding Facility reflects CMU’s commitment to responsive and compassionate governance.
He further expressed the administration’s intent to explore the expansion of the facility, noting that the SDD results indicate that many more employees have young children who may benefit from accessible and structured childcare support within the campus.
According to Dr. Borres, the Child-Minding Facility is one of the identified organization-focused Programs, Activities, and Projects (PAPs) under the 2025 Gender and Development (GAD) Plan and Budget (GPB), forming part of CMU’s strengthened GAD mainstreaming efforts. Its implementation is subject to monitoring by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and compliance with Commission on Audit (COA) regulations.
The facility provides temporary, structured, and developmentally appropriate childcare services to qualified employees and student-parents. Services are offered free of charge, except for food and personal necessities, which must be provided by the parents.
Dr. Borres stated that operational guidelines are in place to ensure safety, accountability, and quality service delivery. The facility serves children aged three to five years old under specific circumstances, with priority given to solo parents, persons with disabilities (PWDs), members of Indigenous Peoples (IPs), and those with limited alternative childcare options.
Children undergo basic health screening upon arrival, including temperature checks, and only authorized guardians may fetch them. The facility is supervised by two designated caregivers, including one with a background in Early Childhood Education (ECE), ensuring that children participate in age-appropriate activities that foster cognitive, social, emotional, and motor development.
Moreover, the Child-Minding Facility also serves as a learning laboratory for students enrolled in the Bachelor in Early Childhood Education (BECEd) program under the College of Education. It likewise provides field exposure opportunities for selected academic subjects from the College of Nursing and the College of Human Ecology.
Hiedy S. Cañete, a CMU employee, welcomed the initiative and described it as a meaningful support system for working parents.
“This initiative is a 10/10 for me. CMU now has a facility that supports working parents like us. A safe space for little ones where parents can have peace of mind knowing they are close by, well cared for, learning, and socializing while we work. One of my biggest hopes has finally become a reality. What a blessing to the CMU community! Kudos to CMU-CGAD!” she shared.
The Child-Minding Facility advances the University’s contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 4 (Quality Education). [Iyren Dalipe Neri]
