FIFTEENTH CONGRESS 
, : 
' 
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
I :) 
nr.T i:l r ,4 :';3 
SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Senate Bill No. 2567 
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Introduced by Senator Edgardo J. Angara 
Research has proven that half of a person's ability to learn is developed in 
the first four years of life, and another 30 percent before one turns eight. It is 
during the early years from 0 to 6 when the learning pathways to the brain are 
formed., This is the foundation on which all future learning is based, yet these 
critical years of educational development are not adequately prioritized in our 
education system. 
There are 13 million Filipino children of the ages 0 to 6, or approximately 
14% of the total country's population of 95 M, according to the National 
Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB). 
However, only of 1 of 4 children (or 
approximately 3,234,399) in the 0 to 6 years age-group were provided early 
childhood care in 2009 through the country's day care centers and in DepED 
pre-schools. 
The World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education held in 
Moscow in September 2010 adopted a resolution of the Education Commission 
at the 16th plenary meeting of the 35th UNESCO General Conference in Paris in 
October 2009, that recalled: 
"The Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states ... 
that every child has the inherent right to life and that states, parties 
shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and 
development of the child;" 
"The World Declaration on Education for All (EFA), which 
states that learning begins at birth ... and that this calls for early 
childhood care and initial education;" 
"The Dakar Framework for Action, which urges as the first EFA 
goal expanding and improving comprehensive early childhood 
care and education, especially for the most vulnerable and 
disadvantaged children." 
The Philippines, along with 192 United Nations member-states, has 
committed to the universal aims of Education for All (EFA) and the Millennium 
Development Goals by Year 2015. Two of the six (6) internationally agreed EFA 
goals on meeting the learning needs of children are: 
(1) 
Expanding and 
improving comprehensive early childhood care and education, especially for 
the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children and (2) ensuring that by 2015 
all children, particularly girls, children in difficult circumstances and those belong 


to ethnic minorities, have access to, and complete, free and compulsory 
primary education of good quality. 
The Department of Education (DepED) National EFA Committee likewise 
identified Early Child Care and Development (ECCD) as critical to achieving EFA 
goals by 2015. 
The 
Early Childhood Care and Development Council has been 
implementing a National System for Early Childhood Care and Development 
that consists of a "full range of health. nutrition, early education and social 
services programs that provide for the basic holistic needs of young children 
from conception (0) to age six (6), and to promote their optimum growth and 
development. " 
There is a need now to revisit the "Early Childhood Care and 
Development Act of 2000" or R.A. 8980 and amend certain provision for the 
purpose of strengthening the strategic role of the ECCD Council. 
The ECCD Council must be empowered to undertake comprehensive, 
integrative and sustainable multi-sectoral and inter-agency collaboration for 
early childhood care and development -- tapping national government 
agencies, local government units, non-governmental organizations, 
families 
and communities; and among the private sectors, professional associations and 
acadernic institutions. 
The UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines Education Committee 
in 2004 suggested a model learning system consisting of five (5) cycles of 
educational development which are the following: 
• 
No.1 - The cycle for ages 0 to 6 is the foundation cycle 
• 
No.2 - The cycle for ages 6 to 12 is the elementary education cycle 
• 
No. 3 -
The cycle for ages 12 to 18 is the secondary education 
cycle 
• 
No.4 - The cycle for ages 18 to 24 is the higher education cycle 
• 
No. 5 -
The cycle for ages 24 and above is the continuing 
education cycle 
This bill calls for the adoption by the State of a policy recognizing the early 
years from conception 
(0) to age six (6) as the First Cycle of Educational 
Development; 
ensuring universal access to early childhood care and 
development programs of all 
Filipino children from conception (0) to six (6) 
years; 
and amending certain provisions of R.A. 8980 on the basis of the 
experiences of its implementation since Year 2000. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
E~oi~ 
Senator of the Republic of the Philippines 
2 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS 
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Sessions 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 256 "2 
Introduced by Senator Edgardo J. Angara 
AN ACT RECOGNIZING THE EARLY YEARS FROM 0 TO 6 
AS THE FIRST CYCLE OF EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8980 FOR THIS PURPOSE, 
STRENGTHENING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT 
COUNCIL, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
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assembled. 
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SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 8980, shall be amended to read as follows: 
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"Section 
1. 
Short Title. - This Act shall be lmown as the ["ECCD Act"] 
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"EARLY YEARS ACT OF 2010." 
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SECTION 2. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 8980 shall be amended to read as follows: 
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"Section 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
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promote the rights of children to survival, development and special protection with full 
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recognition of the nature of childhood and its special needs; and to support parents in 
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their roles as primary caregivers and as their children's first teachers. 
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"The State shall institutionalize a National System for Early Childhood Care and 
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Development (ECCD) that is comprehensive, integrative and sustainable, that involves 
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muiti,sectoral and inter-agency collaboration at the national and local levels among 
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government; among service providers, families and communities, and among the public 
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and private sectors, nongovernment organizations; professional associations, and 
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academic institutions. 
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"This System shall promote the inclusion of children with special needs and advocate 
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respect for cultural diversity. It shall be anchored on complementary strategies for 
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ECCD that include service delivery for children from ZERO (0) 
to age six (6), 
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educating parents and caregivers, encouraging the active involvement of parents and 
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communities in ECCD programs, raising awareness about the important efforts that 
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improve the quality oflife for young children and families. 
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"IT SHALL ALSO BE THE POLICY OF THE STATE TO RECOGNIZE THE 
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EARLY YEARS FROM ZERO (0) TO AGE SIX (6) AS THE FIRST CYCLE OF 
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EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT DURING WHICH FIFTY PERCENT (50%) 
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OF THE CHILD'S ABILITY TO LEARN IS DEVELOPED; FROM WHICH 
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SHALL BE FORMED THE MAIN LEARNING PATHWAYS IN THE BRAIN 
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THAT SHALL BE THE BASE OF ALL FUTURE LEARNING." 
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Section 3. Section 3 ofRA 8980 shall be amended to read as follows: 
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"Section 3. Objectives - The objectives of the National ECCD System are: 
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"(a) To achieve improved infant and child survival rates by ensuring that adequate 
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health and nutrition [program] PROGRAMS are accessible to young children and 
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their [mothers] PARENTS from 
the prenatal period throughout the early childhood 
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years; 
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"(b) To enhance the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, psychological, spiritual and 
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language development of young children; 
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"(c) To enhance the role of parents AND OTHER CAREGIVERS as the 'primary 
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caregivers and educators of their children ESPECIALLY from [birth onwards] ZERO 
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(0) TO SIX (6) YEARS; 
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. "(d) To facilitate a smooth transition from care and 
education provided at home to 
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community or school-based setting and to primary school; 
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"(e)To enhance the capabilities of service providers and their supervisors to comply 
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with quality standards for various ECCD programs; 
, 
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"(f)To enhance and sustain the efforts of communities to promote ECCD programs and 
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ensure that special support is provided for poor and disadvantaged communities; 
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"(g)To ensure that young children 
are adequately prepared for the formal learning 
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system AND that both public and private schools are responsive to the development 
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needs of these children; 
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"(h)To establish an efficient system for 
early 
identification, prevention, referral and 
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intervention for GIFTEDNESS AND development disorders and disabilities [in early 
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childhood) IN CHILDREN FROM ZERO (0) TO SIX (6) YEARS; and 
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"(i)To improve the quality standards of public and private ECCD programs through, 
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but not limited to, a registration and credential system for ECCD service providers." 
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SECTION 4. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8980 shall be amended to read as follows: 
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"Section 4. Definitions - For purposes of this Act: 
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"(a) Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System refers to the full range of 
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health, nutrition, early education and social services programs that provide for the basic 
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holistic needs of young children from [birth] ZERO (0) TO AGE SIX (6), and to 
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promote their optimum growth and development. These programs include: 
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"(1) Center-based programs, such as the day care service established under 
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Republic Act No. 6972, public and private pre-schools, kindergarten or school-
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based programs, community or church-based early childhood education programs 
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initiated by non-government organizations or people's organizations, workplace-
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related child care and education programs, child minding centers, health centers 
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and stations; and 
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"(2) Home-based programs, such as the neighborhood-based play groups, family 
day care programs, parent education and home visiting programs. 
"(b) ECCD Service Providers include the vanous professionals, paraprofessionals, 
and volunteer caregivers who are directly responsible for the care and 
education 
of 
young children FROM ZERO (0) TO SIX (6) YEARS through the various center and 
home-based programs. 
"They include, but ARE not limited to, day care workers, teachers, teacher-aiders, 
rural health midwives, social 
workers, 
community health 
workers, 
barangay 
nutrition scholars, parent effectiveness service volunteers, child development workers, 
and family day care providers. 
"(c) ECCD Curriculum refers to the age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate 
educational objectives, programs of 
activities, organized learning experiences and 
recommended learning materials for children that are implemented 
by 
service 
providers through center and home-based programs. It shall consist of national 
program goals 
and guidelines, instructional objectives, and content 
outlines 
integrating local learning experiences and indigenous learning materials. 
"( d)Parent Education refers to the various fonnal and alternative means of providing 
parents with infonnation, skills, and support systems to assist them in their roles as their 
children's primary caregivers and educators. These include public and private parent 
education programs linked to center, home and media-based child care and education 
programs. 
SECTION 5. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 8980 shall be amended to read as follows: 
"Section 5. System Framework and Components -- The ECCD System shall include the 
following components: 
"(a) ECCD Curriculum - which focuses on children's total development according to 
their individual needs and socio-cultural background. 
It shall promote the delivery of 
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complementary and integrative services for health care, nutrition, early childhood 
education, sanitation and cultural activities. It shall use the child's first language as 
the medium ofinstruction. 
"(b) Parent Education and Involvement, Advocacy, and Mobilization of Communities -
which harness and develop parents' strengths as providers of ECCD PROGRAMS at 
home, active partners of other stakeholders, advocates 
for 
community concerns that 
AFFECT children, and pillars of support for local and national ECCD programs through 
community organization efforts. 
"(c) Human Resource Development Program - which establishes mechanisms for the 
systematic professionalization of 
ECCD service providers, through enrollment in 
educational programs in site-based or distance education modes, through pre-service[s) 
or in-serviceS training including continuing education programs, whereby a registration 
and credential system shall be developed in the ECCD System. 
"(d) ECCD Management -
which focuses on a continuing process of planning, 
implementation, 
supervision, 
financial management, monitoring, evaluation and 
reporting. It shall encourage the active involvement and build the capabilities of 
service providers, 
parents and local government officials to sustain the program, 
and it shall be guided by the principles of decentralization as stipulated in the Local 
Government Code of 1991 AND THE PRINCIPLES OF SHARED GOVERNANCE 
IN THE GOVERNANCE OF BASIC EDUCATION ACT OF 2001. 
"(e) Quality Standards and Accreditation -
which 
ensures that each component 
in the ECCD System complies with national quality standards, [to be] established by 
the [National] ECCD [Coordinating] Council [as provided for under Section 8 of this 
Act], linked to an accreditation process." 
SECTION 6. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 8980 shall be amended to read as follows: 
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"Section 6. Expanding the ECCD System. - The National ECCD System shall be 
[established in at least three (3) regions each year, as may be determined by the National 
ECCD Coordinating Council to achieve national coverage over a five-year period.] 
EXPANDED 
TO 
ALL 
PROVINCES, 
CITIES/MUNICIPALITIES 
AND 
BARANGAYS AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE ECCD COUNCIL IN 
ORDER TO ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL COVERAGE OF ALL CHILDREN FROM 
ZERO (0) TO SIX (6) YEARS OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD. 
SECTION 7. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 8980 shall be amended to read as follows: 
"Section 7. Implementing Arrangements and Operational Structures. 
The 
implementation of the National ECCD System shall be the joint responsibility of the 
[national govermnent agencies] ECCD COUNCIL AND THE local govermnent units, 
non-govermnent organizations, and private organizations that are accredited to deliver the 
services or to provide training and technical assistance. 
"(a) Responsibilities of the [National Government] ECCD COUNCIL - (National 
govermnent agencies] THE ECCD COUNCIL shall be responsible for developing 
policies and programs, providing technical 
assistance and 
support to the ECCD 
service 
providers 
in consultation with coordinating committees at the provincial, 
city/municipal, and barangay levels [as provided for 
in Section 8 of this Act] and 
monitoring ofECCD service benefits and outcomes. 
"[The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of 
Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), the Department of Health (DOH), the 
Department of Interior and Local Govermnent (DILG), the Department of Labor and 
Employment (DOLE), the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Justice 
(DOJ), the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and the National 
Nutrition Council (NNC)] THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DEPED), THE 
DEP'ARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD), THE 
DEPARTMENT 
OF 
HEALTH 
(DOH), 
THE 
NATIONAL 
NUTRITION 
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COUNCIL (NNC) AND THE UNION OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES OF THE 
PHILIPPINES (ULAP) shall jointly prepare annual ECCD work plans that will 
coordinate their respective technical assistance and support for the National ECCD 
Program. 
"They shall consolidate existing program implementing guidelines that ensure 
consistency in integrated service delivery within the National ECCD System. 
"(I) The [DECS] DEPED shall 
promote the 
National 
ECCD 
Program in 
schools. ECCD 
programs in public schools shall be under the 
joint 
responsibility 
of 
their respective school principal/school-head and parents -
teachers - [community (PTCA)] ASSOCIATION (PTA) 
within 
the 
standards 
set 
forth 
III 
the 
National ECCD System and under the 
guidance 
of 
the CitylMunicipal 
ECCD Coordinating 
Committee for the 
effective and equitable delivery ofECCD services. 
"It shall also make available existing facilities of Public elementary schools for 
ECCD classes. 
"(2) Private [and Public pre-schools] shall be registered by the [Provincial or City 
ECCD Coordinating Committee] Council upon the recommendation of the 
[respective 
division 
office 
of the 
DECS.] 
CITY/MUNICIPAL ECCD 
COORDINATING COMMITTEES. 
"NGO-initiated community, church, home, and workplace-based service providers 
shall be registered BY THE COUNCIL upon the recommendation of the 
[provincial/city social welfare and development office] CITY/MUNICIPAL 
ECCD COORDINATING COMMITTEES. 
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"These public and 
private ECCD service providers shall operate 
within 
the 
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standards set forth in the National ECCD system and under the guidance of the 
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City/ Municipal ECCD Coordinating 
Committee 
for the effective delivery 
of 
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ECCD services. 
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"(b)Responsibilities of Local 
Government Units - Local government units 
(LGUs) 
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shall be primarily responsible for: 
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"(1)Implementing the National ECCD Program by providing basic public ECCD 
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services; 
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"(2) Supporting the organization of parent 
cooperatives 
to initiate the 
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establishment of ECCD programs; 
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"(3) Ensuring that service providers of public ECCD programs under 
their 
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supervision shall be justly compensated, 
that adequate funds are available, and their 
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working 
conditions are conducive to fulfill national quality standards; and 
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"(4) Providing counterpart 
funds for the 
training and continuing education 
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of PUBLIC ECCD service providers, and supporting the operations of Provincial, 
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City/Municipal and Barangay ECCD 
Coordinating Committees. 
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"(c) Responsibilities of Families and 
Communities -
The 
families and 
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communities shall support 
the local ECCD 
programs 
by participating 
III 
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various projects for the overall development of their children!.] FROM ZERO (0) 
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TO SIX (6) YEARS. 
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SECTION 8. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 8980 shall be amended to read as follows: 
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"Section 
8. 
[Creation of National Coordinating Council 
and Coordinating 
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Committees for ECCD] STRENGTHENING THE ECCD COUNCIL AND THE 
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COORDINATING COMMITTEES FOR ECCD AT THE PROVINCIAL, 
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CITY/MUNICIPAL AND BARAN GAY LEVELS. - [To ensure the sustained inter-
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agency and multi-sectoral collaboration from the national, provincial, city/municipal and 
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barangay coordinating committees shall be organized.] TO ENSURE THE STATE'S 
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FOCUS ON BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR THE LEARNING 
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AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN DURING THE EARLY YEARS FROM 
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ZERO (0) TO SIX (6 ) YEARS; SUPPORT THE FULL RANGE OF HEALTH, 
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NUTRITION, EARLY EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMS 
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FOR THE CHILD'S HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT; AND ENSURE SUSTAINED 
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INTER-AGENCY AND MULTI-SECTORAL COLLABORATION AMONG THE 
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PROVINCIAL, CITY/MUNICIPAL AND BARAN GAY ECCD COORDINATING 
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COMMITTEES, THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT 
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COUNCIL IS HEREBY STRENGTHENED. 
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"a) [National ECCD Coordinating Council - The Council for the Welfare of Children 
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(CWC) shall also function as the National ECCD Coordinating Council, hereinafter 
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referred to as the Council, and shall hereby be under the Office of the President.] 
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ORGANIZATION -- THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT 
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COUNCIL SHALL BE COMPOSED OF A GOVERNING BOARD AND A 
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SECRETARIAT. THE ECCD GOVERNING BOARD SHALL BE HEADED BY 
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A CHAIRMAN WITH THE SALARY GRADE AND EMOLUMENTS OF A 
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CABINET SECRETARY TO BE APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT. 
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(1) Composition OF THE ECCD GOVERNING BOARD --
[In addition to the 
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existing members of the CWC, two (2) private individuals who are ECCD 
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practitioners and experts shall be appointed by the President, upon recommendation 
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of the Council for a tenn of two (2) years subject to one (\) reappointment. The 
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Council shall meet once a month or as often as necessary. The Secretaries of the 
DSWD, DECS, DOH, and DILG shaH act as co-chairperson of the Council and must 
represented by a person with a rank not lower than an Undersecretary.] THE 
FOLLOWING SHALL BE MEMBERS OF THE ECCD GOVERNING 
BOARD: 
1) DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DEPED) 
2) DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND' DEVELOPMENT 
(DSWD) 
3) DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) 
4) NATIONAL NUTRITION COUNCIL (NNC) 
5) UNION OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES (ULAP) 
IN ADDITION, ONE (1) PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS AN ECCD 
PRACTITIONER AND EXPERT SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE 
PRESIDENT UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD WHO 
SHALL SERVE FOR A TERM OF TWO (2) YEARS SUBJECT TO ONE (1) 
REAPPOINTMENT. 
THE HEADS OF THE CONCERNED DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES 
AND INSTITUTIONS SHALL AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ATTEND THE 
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD. 
IN THEIR ABSENCE THEY MUST 
DESIGNATE A PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE WITH A RANK NOT 
LOWER THAN AN UNDERSECRETARY OR ITS EQUIVALENT WHO 
MAY ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE AT MEETINGS OF THE BOARD. 
THE BOARD SHALL MEET ONCE A MONTH OR AS OFTEN AS 
NECESSARY. 
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(2) [Council] ECCD Secretariat --
[The CWC Secretariat shall also serve as the 
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secretariat of the Council. It shall be headed by an executive director, who shall be 
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appointed by the President, upon the recommendation of the Council. He/She shall 
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have the rank, privileges, and emoluments of a Career Executive Service Officer 1. 
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Nothing herein shall prejudice any right vested prior to the enactment of this Act.] 
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THERE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED AN ECCD SECRETARIAT HEADED BY 
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AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE 
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PRESIDENT UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD. 
HE/SHE 
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SHALL HAVE THE RANK, PRIVILEGES, AND EMOLUMENTS OF A 
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CAREER EXECUTIVE SERVICE OFFICER I. 
, 
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There shall be created two (2) permanent positions of Deputy Executive Directors to 
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be appointed by the [Council] BOARD, one of whom shall be [exclusively] 
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concerned with ECCD programs and activities and the other [exclusively with the 
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existing functions of the CWC.] WITH GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE 
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SERVICES OF THE ECCD COUNCIL. 
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The [Deputy Executive Directors] EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE 
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DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS shall be assisted by senior technical staff to 
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be seconded from the [DSWD, DECS, DOH, DILG, DOLE, DA, DOl, NEDA and 
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NNC for a period] DEPED, DSWD, DOH, NNC AND ULAP WHO SHALL 
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SERVE FOR A PERIOD of at least two (2) years, subject to renewal and shall be 
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entitled to whatever additional remuneration the law allows for such secondment.] 
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(3) Functions of the [National] ECCD [Coordinating] Council -- [The Council shall] 
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THE ECCD COUNCIL SHALL IMPLEMENT THE NATIONAL EARLY 
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CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM AND PERFORM THE 
FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS: 
(i) Promulgate policies and implementing guidelines for ECCD programs in 
consultation with stakeholders at various levels, including the regional level 
when appropriate, consistent with the national policy and program 
frameworks as defined in this Act; 
(ii) Establish ECCD program standards that reflect developmentally appropriate 
and culturally relevant practices for ECCD programs, which shall interface 
with the primary school curriculum ofthe [DECS) DEPED; 
(iii) Develop a national system for the recruitment, registration, continuing 
education and equivalency, and credential system of ECCD service providers, 
supervisors and administrators to improve and professionalize the ECCD 
sector and upgrade quality standards of public and private ECCD programs; 
(iv) Develop and implement a system of awards and recognition to deserving 
ECCD program implementers and service providers; 
(v) PROMOTE, ENCOURAGE AND coordinate the conduct of ECCD 
programs in national government agencies and monitor the delivery of 
services to the ECCD program beneficiaries; 
(vi)Evaluate and assess the impact and outcome of various ECCD programs 
nationwide through au effective information system; 
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(vii) 
Develop and establish a national system for early identification, screening, 
surveillance of early childhood disabilities, developmental problems, and 
giftedness; 
(viii) 
Develop and implement various support mechanisms that maximize the 
public and private resources for implementing ECCD programs, giving 
priority to the needy and high risk children from poor communities; 
(ix)Provide counterpart funds to poor and disadvantaged communities for the 
establishment and expansion of public ECCD programs, improvement of 
physical facilities and for hiring of ECCD providers; 
(x) Promote and encourage private sector initiatives for the establishment of 
ECCD programs; 
(xi)Provide guidelines for ECCD Coordinating Committees at the provincial, 
city/municipal and barangay levels for the conduct of solicitations and 
requests for assistance from local and international civic organizations, private 
philanthropic foundations to supplement available resources. 
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SECTION. 9. [(b) Provincial ECCD Coordinating Committee. Composition, Function, 
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Secretariat.] RECONSTITUTING THE ECCD COORDINATING COMMITTEES. 
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- [There shall be created in every province a Provincial ECCD Coordinating Committee.] 
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THE ECCD COORDINATING COMMITTEES ESTABLISHED AT THE 
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PROVINCIAL, CITY/MUNICIPAL AND BARANGAY LEVELS SHALL BE 
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RECONSTITUTED AND PERFORM THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS: 
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"(a)[(1) Composition. -) The Provincial ECCD Coordinating Committee shall be 
composed of the Governor of the Province as Chairperson, [Division Superintendent 
of DECS, Provincial Planning and Development Officer, Provincial Budget Officer, 
Provincial Health Officer, Provincial Director of DILG, Provincial Social Welfare 
and Development Officer, Provincial Treasurer, President of the Provincial League of 
Municipal Mayors, and two (2) representatives of non-government organizations 
operating ECCD programs appointed by the committee, for a two-year term, subject 
to one (1) reappointment, as members) AND MEMBERS REPRESENTING THE 
DEPED, DSWD, DOH, NCC AND ULAP. THE PROVINCIAL ECCD 
COORDINATING COMMITTEE SHALL BE UNDER THE PROVINCIAL 
DEVELOPMENT 
COUNCIL 
AND 
SHALL 
PERFORM 
FUNCTIONS 
SIMILAR TO THE ECCD COUNCIL AS APPROPRIATE INCLUDING 
OTHER 
FUNCTIONS 
THAT 
MAY 
BE 
PROVIDED 
IN 
THE 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THIS ACT. 
THERE 
SHALL BE ORGANIZED A SECRETARIAT TO COORDINATE AND 
MONITOR THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF ECCD PROGRAMS 
IN' THE PROVINCE. IT SHALL BE HEADED BY A PROVINCIAL ECCD 
. OFFICER, WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, UPON 
THE 
RECOMMENDATION 
OF 
THE 
PROVINCIAL 
ECCD 
COORDINATING COMMITTEE. 
HEISHE SHALL HAVE A RANK, 
PRIVILEGE AND EMOLUMENT OF A DEPARTMENT HEAD. 
SUCH 
SUMS AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR THE SALARIES, ALLOWANCES 
AND OTHER BENEFITS OF THE PROVINCIAL ECCD OFFICER SHALL 
BE PROVIDED BY THE PROVINCE. 
[(2) Functions - The Provincial ECCD Coordinating Committee shall be under 
the Provincial Development Council and shall perform similar functions as the 
[National] ECCD [Coordinating] Council as appropriate, including other 
14 


1 
functions that may be provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this 
2 
Act. It shall coordinate the delivery of services and support from the National 
3 
ECCD Coordinating Council and the national line agencies involved in ECCD 
4 
. programs. It shall also support and complement the resources available to 
5 
municipalities and barangays in the province in the expansion and improvement 
6 
of ECCD programs, as well as be responsible for the registration of ECCD 
7 
programs and service providers; and 
8 
(3) Secretariat - The Provincial ECCD Coordinating Committee shall 
9 
organize a secretariat which shall coordinate and monitor the effective 
10 
implementation of ECCD programs in the province. It shall be headed by 
11 
the provincial ECCD Officer, who shall be appointed by the Governor, 
12 
upon the recommendation of the Provincial ECCD Coordinating 
13 
Committee. He/She skill have the rank, privileges and emoluments of a 
14 
Department head. 
15 
For the first three (3) years of the establishment of the ECCD system in the province, the 
16 
salary, allowances and other benefits of the Provincial ECCD Officer shall be paid for by 
17 
the Council. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the salaries, allowances and 
18 
other benefits of the Provincial ECCD Officer shall be provided by the province.I" 
19 
"[(c)] (2) THE CITY/MUNICIPAL ECCD COORDINATING COMMITTEES 
20 
SHALL BE COMPOSED OF THE CITY/MUNICIPAL MAYOR AS 
21 
CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS REPRESENTING THE DEPED, DSWD, DOH, 
22 
NNC AND ULAP. THE CITY/MUNICIPAL ECCD COORDINATING 
23 
COMMITTEE SHALL BE UNDER THE CITY/MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT 
24 
COUNCIL AND SHALL PERFORM FUNCTIONS SIMILAR TO THE ECCD 
25 
COUNCIL AS APPROPRIATE INCLUDING OTHER FUNCTIONS THAT MAY 
26 
BE PROVIDED IN THE IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF 
27 
THIS ACT. 
THERE SHALL BE ORGANIZED A SECRETARIAT TO 
15 


1 
COORDINATE AND MONITOR THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF 
2 
ECCD PROGRAMS IN THE CITY/MUNICIPALITY. IT SHALL BE HEADED 
3 
BY THE CITY/MUNICIPAL ECCD OFFICER, WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED 
4 
BY THE CITY/MUNICIPAL MAYOR, UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE 
5 
CITY/MUNICIPAL ECCD COORDINATING COMMITTEE; [City/Municipal 
6 
ECCD Coordinating Committee. Composition, Functions, Secretariat. -There shall be 
7 
created in every city and municipality a City/Municipal ECCD Coordinating Committee. 
8 
(I) Composition - The City/Municipal ECCD Coordinating Committee 
9 
shall be composed of the City/Municipal Mayor as Chairperson, the 
10 
Division Superintendent! District Supervisor ofDECS, City/Municipal 
11 
Planning and Development Officer, City/ Municipal Budget Officer, 
12 
City/Municipal Health Officer, City/Municipal Social Welfare and 
13 
Development Officer, City/Municipal Local Government, Officer, 
14 
City/Municipal Treasurer, City/Municipal Nutrition Officer, President of 
15 
the Association of Barangay Captains in the City/Municipality, President 
16 
of the Parent Teachers-Community Federation in the City/Municipality, 
17 
and two (2) representatives of non-government organizations involved in 
18 
ECCD programs in the City/Municipality appointed by the Committee for 
19 
a two-year term, subject to one (1) reappointment, as members. 
20 
(2) Functions - The City/Municipal ECCD Coordinating Committee shall 
21 
be under the city/municipal development council and shall perform similar 
22 
functions as the council as appropriate, including other functions that may 
23 
be provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations. It shall likewise 
24 
support and complement the resources available to barangays in the 
25 
expansion and improvement of ECCD programs, coordinate and monitor 
26 
the delivery of services at the barangay level, ensure accurate reporting 
27 
and documentation of service delivery, as well as mobilize and encourage 
28 
private sector initiatives for the establishment of ECCD program 
16 


1 
implementors in tile city/municipality that conforms to National ECCD 
2 
System Standards. 
3 
(3) Secretariat. - The City/Municipal ECCD Coordinating Committee shall 
4 
organize a Secretariat which shall coordinate and monitor the effective 
5 
implementation ofECCD programs in the city/municipality. It shall be 
6 
headed by the CitylMunicipal ECCD Officer, who shall be appointed by 
7 
the mayor, upon the recommendation of the City/Municipal ECCD 
8 
Coordinating Committee.] 
9 
"[(d)] (3) 
THE BARANGAY ECCD COORDINATING COMMITTEES SHALL 
10 
BE COMPOSED OF THE BARANGAY CAPTAIN AS CHAIRPERSON AND 
11 
MEMBERS REPRESENTING THE DEPED, DSWD, DOH, NNC AND ULAP. 
12 
THE BARANGAY ECCD COORDINATING COMMITTEE SHALL BE UNDER 
13 
THE 
BARANGAY 
DEVELOPMENT 
COUNCIL 
AND 
SHALL 
BE 
14 
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROPER AND EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF 
15 
PUBLIC ECCD PROGRAMS AND MAINTENANCE OF DATABASE SYSTEM 
16 
AT THE BARANGAY LEVEL. 
THERE SHALL BE ORGANIZED A 
17 
SECRETARIAT TO COORDINATE AND MONITOR THE EFFECTIVE 
18 
IMPLEMENTATION OF ECCD PROGRAMS IN THE BARANGAY. IT SHALL 
19 
BE HEADED BY A BARANGAY COUNCILOR, WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED 
20 
BY THE BARANGAY CAPTAIN, UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE 
21 
BARANGAY 
ECCD 
COORDINATING 
COMMITTEE. 
[Barangay 
ECCD 
, 
22 
Coordinating Committee - The Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC), 
23 
created under Presidential Decree 603, shall also function as the Barangay ECCD 
24 
Coordinating Committee. The BCPC shall be responsible for the proper and effective 
25 
implementation of public ECCD programs and maintenance of database system at the 
26 
barangay level. Pursuant to this, all barangays shall organize BCpes in their respective 
27 
areas. 
17 


1 
"The BCPC shall be composed of, among others: the Barangay Captain, the school 
2 
head/s in the barangay, the Barangay health midwife, the Barangay health worker, the 
3 
Barangay nutrition scholar, the day care worker/s, parents, the Sangguniang Kabataan 
4 
Chairman, and a representative from child-focused non government 
5 
organizations/people's organizations, as members. The members of the BCPC shall elect 
6 
from among themselves the Chairperson.]" 
7 
SECTION 9. The provisions of Section 9 of Republic Act No. 8980 shall be amended to 
8 
read as follows: 
9 
"Section [9] 10. 
Financing ECCD Programs. -- ECCD programs [at the community 
10 
level] shall be financed through a combination of public and private funds. All public 
11 
ECCD program providers shall prioritize [young] children from ZERO (0) TO SIX (6) 
12 
YEARS FROM families who are in greatest need and who can least afford private sector 
13 
programs. 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
"(a) Public support for ECCD programs .. --
The government shall support public 
ECCD programs through cost-sharing arrangements that shall involve the LGDs, and 
counterpart funds from the national government agencies for technical assistance and 
support. Additional funds may be generated from intergovernmental donors and 
financial institutions by the appropriate government agencies through the NEDA to 
support the public programs in ALL municipalities including the urban poor. Funds 
shall be accessible to qualified LGDs through the Municipal Development Fund or 
other financing mechanisms as prescribed by the Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM). The ECCD Council may establish a trust fund to assist LGDs 
in the expansion and upgrading of ECCD programs. 
"There shall also be established a fund for an ECCD Program ContraCting Scheme 
with accredited private providers at the community levels. 
18 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
'.'Primary health care programs, pre-natal and post-natal care, growth monitoring and 
promotion, and supplementary nutrition programs shall continue to be funded through 
the LGUs with technical support and additional resources from the DOH. 
"THE DSWD SHALL PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR [tIThe Day 
Care Program, Parent Effectiveness Service, Child-Minding Centers, Family Day 
Care and Parent-Child Development Programs that shall continue to be supported by 
the LGUs in the form of construction of basic infrastructure, provision of facilities, 
materials and equipment, compensation for service providers. 
"The kindergarten program in public AND PRIVATE schools AND IN DAY CARE 
CENTERS shall continue to be supported by the [DECS] DEPED in cooperation 
with the PTAs, where applicable, by providing teacher training, supplementary 
learning materials and reference materials [for] INCLUDING FOR THE EARLY 
EDUCATION COMPONENT OF OTHER ECCD programs. 
"The DEPED, DSWD, [DECS], DOH, [DILG], NNC and ULAP shall support the 
implementation of the National ECCD Program and shall include in their respective 
annual general appropriations beginning the fiscal year following the approval of this 
Act, the necessary funding to achieve 'the goal of[national] UNIVERSAL coverage 
FOR ALL CHILDREN FROM ZERO (0) TO SIX (6) YEARS within a five-year 
period and sustain the Program from thereon. 
The work and financial plans of 
[DSWD, DECS, DOH and DILG] THE DEPED, DSWD, DOH, NNC AND ULAP 
SHALL BE COORDINATED WITH THE ECCD COUNCIL. 
"(b) Support for ECCD Programs. -- Support for ECCD programs can be solicited 
from local and international civic organizations, and private philanthropic foundations 
to supplement available resources. 
19 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
Workp lace-based or related ECCD programs shall be supported by corporations and 
employees in the form of physical facilities and recurrent operating costs. 
The 
operating costs incurred for employer or corporate-sponsored ECCD programs can be 
deducted from taxable income and [lor] avail of the tax benefits under the "Adopt-A-
School" Law; 
provided that the employer or corporation will not charge user fees. 
"( c) Costs to be shouldered by Families. -- The Council shall monitor user fees and 
contributions allowed for both public and private programs to ensure that these are 
affordable and within reasonable limits. 
"User fees for public programs should be limited to monthly contributions intended to 
subsidize recurrent costs. Parents are encouraged to contribute their time and services 
especially in cases where they are unable to afford the regular contributions. 
15 
Section 10. Section 10 ofRA 8980 shall be amended to read as follows: 
16 
17 
"Section 
[10] 11. 
Appropriations. -- For the implementation of this Act the amount 
18 
of [Four hundred million pesos (P400,000,000.00)] FIVE HUNDRED MILLION 
19 
PESOS (0500,000,000.00) per year for five (5) years is hereby appropriated for the 
20 
National ECCD Program of the ECCD Council effective upon approval of this Act[.] 
21 
THAT SHALL BE UTILIZED TO SUPPORT THE GOAL OF ACHIEVING 
22 
UNIVERSAL ECCD COVERAGE FOR ALL CHILDREN FROM ZERO (0) TO 
23 
SIX (6) YEARS. Said amount shall be funded from the gross income of the Philippine 
24 
Amusement and Gaming Corporation and shall be directly remitted in four (4) quarterly 
25 
installments to a special account of the ECCD Council. Thereafter, such sums as may be 
26 
necessary for the operations of the Council shall be included in the General 
27 
Appropriations Act. 
28 
20 


1 
[A supplementary] AN INITIAL ANNUAL appropriations in the amount of [Thirty 
2 
million 
pesos 
(P30,000,000.00)] 
ONE· 
HUNDRED 
MILLION 
PESOS 
3 
(0100,000,000.00) shall be provided to [the Council from the President's Organizational 
4 
Adjustment Fund] support the operations of the ECCD Council upon approval of this 
5 
Act. 
6 
[The above appropriations shall be separate and distinct from the annual budget of the 
7 
CWC.] 
8 
"Expenses for ECCD programs and technical support packages provided by the [DSWD, 
9 
DECS, DOH, DILG, DOLE, DA, DOJ, NEDA,] DEPED, DSWD, DOH and the NNC 
10 
shall be specified as separate line items in their respective annual budgets in the General 
11 
Appropriations Act. Their annual ECCD workplans shall be the basis for these budgets 
12 
and shall be released directly to their regional or provincial offices whenever applicable." 
13 
14 
Section 11. Section 11 ofRA 8980 shall be amended to read as follows: 
15 
, 
16 
"Section [II] 12. 
Annual Report. -- The Council shall, at the close of each calendar 
17 
year, submit an annual report to CongresS, giving a detailed account of its proceedings 
18 
and accomplishments during the year and making recommendations for the adoption of 
19 
measures 
that 
will 
improve the 
National 
ECCD 
System 
AND 
ENSURE 
20 
ACHIEVEMENT OF UNIVERSAL ECCD COVERAGE FOR ALL CHILDREN 
21 
FROM ZERO (0) TO SIX (6) YEARS WITHIN A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD." 
22 
23 
Section 13. 
Separability Clause. 
If any provision of this Act is declared 
24 
unconstitutional the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions 
25 
thereof. 
26 
21 


1 
Section 14. Repealing Clause. -- Pertinent provisions of all laws, decrees, executive 
2 
orders, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof contrary or inconsistent 
3 
with the provisions ofthis Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
4 
5 
Section 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -- The Council in consultation with 
6 
appropriate government agencies and nongovernment organizations shall formulate and issue the 
7 
necessary rilles and regulations for the implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days after 
8 
the effectivity of this Act. 
9 
10 
Section 16. Effectivity Clause. -- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
11 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
12 
13 
Approved. 
22