REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2253

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN IIL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Pre-school education is the first exercise in which children are separated from the comfort
and security of their parents, therefore it has to be a second home to the child; a place, which
one has enough material to construct the building blocks of his/her intellect, abilities, and
character. Republic Act No. 6972 or the Barangay-Level Total Development and Protection
of Children Act which was signed into law on November 23, 1990 recognized the importance
of pre-school education by establishing day care centers in every barangay

The day care system, however still leaves much to be desired. It matters not if in every
barangay exists a day care center, if the modes and standards it adheres to; and the quality of
the instructors working therein continue to be substandard. As such, this representation aims
to enact this proposed measure.

Under this Act, the institutionalization of pre-school education will further be buttressed. Pre-
school teachers will be mandated to continuously undergo the necessary trainings in order to
better equip them with the proper tools and techniques of their trade. It is hoped that with the
passage of this bill, the Government could better provide for the early childhood development
of Filipino children in order to prepare them for the challenges ahead.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

MANU! HAN IT
Representati
Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2253

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN III

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION, INCREASING THE MONTHLY
COMPENSATION OF DAY CARE WORKERS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled,

SECTION 1. Short Title.—This Act shall be known as the “Pre-School Education Development
Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.—It is hereby declared the policy of the State to provide for a
universal early childhood or pre-school education that promotes effective social, intellectual and
skills stimulation and value-formation for children from 3-5 years old with the end view of amply
preparing them for formal elementary schooling.

SEC. 3. Framework.—To implement the State policy as enunciated in this Act, pre-school
education is hereby institutionalized as part of the compulsory basic education. The barangay day
care centers, established by virtue of R.A. No. 6972, shall constitute the public sector pre-school
institutions.

‘The government shall provide the necessary funding support for a national public sector pre-school
program. Properly trained day care workers shall be responsible for early childhood education,
integrating health, nutrition, safety and psycho-social earnings in the early childhood development
program,

Two (2) years after the effectivity of this Act, no student shall be admitted to Grade 1 without
having attended at least one year of pre-school education, provided that the student passes a
prescribed examination which shall test this preparedness in tackling the curriculum for Grade 1.

SEC. 4. Coverage.—This Act shall cover initially all five (5) year old children, to be extended to
all 3-4 year olds as more funds become available.

SEC. 5. Implementing Agency.—The program shall be implemented by the barangay with
appropriate support from the DSWD.

‘The Sangguniang Bayan may also call upon non-government organizations (NGO) and private
volunteers who are responsible members of the community to assist in the proper implementation of
this Act.

SEC. 6. Functions of the DSWD.—The DSWD shall.


a. in coordination with the barangays, make an inventory of all existing day care centers and
day care workers, and determine the appropriate number of day care centers and day care
workers in each specific barangay to fully provide for the pre-school education of children
covered by this Act.

b. in coordination with the DepEd, formulate a standard pre-school curriculum, including the
formulation and development of the teachers’ and pupils’ materials and general guidelines
for the organization and operation of pre-schools.

c. in coordination with the DepEd, formulate, develop and extend a regular training program to
day care workers to ensure constant updating of their knowledge in modern trends,
methodologies and concepts on early childhood education.

SEC. 7. Information Dissemination.—The Philippine Information Agency (PIA), DSWD and the
sangguniang barangay shall ensure an effective information dissemination campaign on the
provisions of this Act.

SEC. 8. Qualifications and Appointment of Barangay Day Care Workers.—

a. A barangay day care worker must be of legal age, with good standing in the community, has
obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development Education, Family Life and Child
Development, Elementary Education or any related course, and duly accredited by the
DSWD; provided, that the aforementioned qualifications will not be prejudicial to
incumbent day care workers, provided further, that the incumbent day care worker who is
without the required educational qualification and accreditation shall obtain the same during
the summer vacation until he/she has complied with the prescribed qualifications.

b. A barangay day care worker, duly accredited by the DSWD, shall be appointed by the
barangay captain with the concurrence of the majority of the sangguniang barangay.

SEC. 9. Salary of Day Care Workers.—A public preschool teacher shall receive a monthly basic
salary based on the compensation of public school teachers under the Salary Standardization Law,
as amended, in addition to other benefits set by law.

SEC. 10, Appropriations. —

a. The funds for the establishment, maintenance and operation of barangay day care centers
and the salary of day care workers shall be appropriated from the national budget and shall
be included in the General Appropriations Act.

'b. Funds for curriculum development, and the development and extension of training programs
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act as part of the budget of the
DSWD.

cc. The amount needed to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be appropriated in the
General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause—If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the same
shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions thereof.

SEC. 12. Effectivity—This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,