A new digital tool is putting the Philippines’ early childhood crisis under the microscope — down to the barangay and school level.
The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) has launched the Early Childhood Dashboard, a data-driven platform designed to help local governments, schools, civil society groups and other stakeholders quickly identify communities where children are struggling with malnutrition, lack of early childhood facilities and poor reading skills.
The dashboard brings together critical government data in one platform, giving decision-makers a clearer picture of where intervention is needed most.
“These are landmark initiatives that show our commitment to transparency in pushing for education reform,” EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Rep. Roman Romulo said.
EDCOM 2 Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee said making the information publicly accessible could help turn data into concrete action.
“This platform embodies our belief that we must continue to strengthen transparency, because transparency enables collective action,” Yee said. “Information, when placed in the hands of people willing to act, can become a force for reform.”
The numbers reveal major gaps
The dashboard currently covers 25,869 barangays, 48,255 schools and more than 5.1 million children assessed for reading.
Nationally, the data shows that:
- 4.3% of children aged zero to two are stunted;
- 11% of barangays have no Child Development Center; and
- 10% of Grade 1 to Grade 3 learners are classified as struggling readers as of the end of School Year 2025–2026.
These figures can now be broken down geographically, allowing local officials and organizations to identify areas that may require urgent intervention.
The dashboard combines data from the National Nutrition Council, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Department of Education.
It uses results from Operation Timbang Plus 2025 to track stunting among children aged zero to two, while Community-Based Monitoring System data identifies barangays without Child Development Centers.
For literacy, the platform maps school-level results from DepEd’s Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment, showing the number and percentage of Grade 1 to Grade 3 pupils classified as low- and high-emerging readers.
The long-term target is clear: every Filipino child should be reading at grade level by Grade 3.
Red flags appear automatically
To make problem areas easier to spot, the dashboard compares local results with national averages.
Whenever a local rate exceeds the national benchmark, the figure automatically turns red, providing LGUs and other stakeholders with an instant warning that the area may need closer attention.
EDCOM 2 said the platform recognizes that malnutrition, access to early childhood care and literacy are interconnected problems affecting the same children.
“This dashboard is not only a source of information. It gives LGUs, government agencies, civil society organizations, Church groups, companies, schools, and universities a common starting point for coordinated action,” EDCOM 2 External Engagements Lead Jude Liao said.
Ayala taps data and AI expertise
The Early Childhood Dashboard was co-developed with AC Analytics, Ayala Corporation’s Data Science and Artificial Intelligence team.
Ayala Corporation Managing Director and Group Head for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Karl Kendrick Chua said the initiative demonstrates how technology can be used to strengthen human capital and public policymaking.
“Ayala is honored to work with EDCOM 2 on this initiative. It reflects our commitment to using data and technology to expand opportunity, strengthen human capital, and support evidence-based solutions that deliver lasting impact for communities,” Chua said.
AC Analytics supports the Ayala Group’s artificial intelligence transformation and also works with academic and government institutions on data analytics, AI talent development and evidence-based policymaking.
EDCOM 2 said the dashboard is intended to help LGUs and partner institutions move beyond broad national statistics and pinpoint the specific barangays and schools where children may be falling behind.
The public can access the Early Childhood Dashboard through the EDCOM 2 website at edcom2.gov.ph/eccddashboard.
EDCOM 2 was created under Republic Act No. 11899 and extended through Republic Act No. 12315 to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Philippine education sector and recommend reforms.