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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4447

Introduced by Representative KATRINA REIKO CHUA - TAI
1 District, Zamboanga City

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In his Fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, 2025, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R.
Marcos Jr. underscored the serious, ongoing challenges confronting Filipino children and youth
‘These include widening learning gaps, rising school dropout rates, and persistent child labor,
especially in underserved and remote communities.

To address these issues, the President reaffirmed education as a national priority. He committed
to building 18,000 new classrooms before the end of his term. He also pledged to implement the
Academie Recovery and Accessible Leaming (ARAL) Program nationwide. This program aims
to enhance literacy, numeracy, and academic performance for students who struggle
academically. He further highlighted the increased support for Early Childhood Care and
Development (ECCD), especially for children from low-income families in areas such as the
First District of Zamboanga City.

The Philippine Constitution affirms every citizen's right to quality basic education. It guarantees
free and compulsory elementary education, as well as free secondary education. The goal of
basic education is to empower Filipino learners with knowledge, skills, and values. This prepares
them to be self-reliant, productive, and responsible members of society. The government also
encourages and supports community efforts that improve the quality of education and access for
children, out-of-school youth, and adult learners.

Despite the dedication of educators and stakeholders, many Filipino learners continue to face
barriers to accessing basic, essential educational services. Persistent classroom shortages, limited
resources, and inadequate access to technology hinder learning, especially in early education.
Many barangays lack fully operational day care centers, which limits young children’s
opportunities to develop foundational skills for lifelong learning.

Republic Act No. 6972, also called the “Barangay-Level Total Development and Protection of
Children Act,” was enacted in 1990. It mandates the establishment of day care centers in every
barangay. More than three decades later, many barangays still lack functional centers. Those that
exist often suffer from limited funding, untrained personnel, and inadequate facilities. As a result,
they often fail to achieve their intended purpose.

This legislative measure seeks to amend and strengthen R.A. No. 6972 by mandating the
establishment of at least one fully functional day care center in every barangay, between the

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national and local governments, to ensure sufficient funding, qualified personnel, and long-term
sustainability of these centers and integrating day care services into the national Early Childhood
Care and Development (ECCD) framework and aligning them with programs like ARAL, a
monitoring, evaluation, and accountability system to track progress and ensure effective
implementation at the local level.

By strengthening the role of barangays in early childhood education, this bill aims to reduce
educational disparities and enhance community involvement. It aims to establish a solid
foundation for lifelong learning and national development.

In response to the President's call and the urgent needs of our youngest learners, the passage of
this measure is strongly recommended. This is a timely and concrete step to protect our children

and ensure they receive an inclusive, equitable, and transformative basic education.

IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

KATRINA REIKO CHUA - TAL


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Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4447

Introduced by Representative KATRINA REIKO CHUA - TAL
1 District, Zamboanga City

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6972 TO ENSURE THE ESTABLISHMENT,
REHABILITATION, AND CONTINUOUS OPERATION OF A DAY CARE CENTER IN
EVERY BARANGAY, 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 “Barangay Day Care
Strengthening Act.”

SECTION 2. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 6972 (Barangay-Level Total Development
and Protection of Children Act), is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 3. - A. Progeam—Framewerk MANDATORY ESTABLISHMENT AND
OPERATION OF DAY CARE CENTERS. — THERE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED,
OPERATED, AND MAINTAINED AT LEAST ONE FULLY FUNCTIONAL DAY CARE
CENTER IN EVERY BARANGAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THESE CENTERS
SHALL IMPLEMENT THE TOTAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTION OF
CHILDREN PROGRAM, COVERING HEALTH, NUTRITION, EARLY EDUCATION,
PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, AND PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.

THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD)
SHALL SUPERVISE AND PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, WHILE THE
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DILG) SHALL
ENSURE COMPLIANCE BY BARANGAY OFFICIALS.

THE DSWD, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
(DEPED), SHALL INTEGRATE THE BARANGAY DAY CARE SYSTEM INTO THE
BROADER EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT (ECCD)
FRAMEWORK AND THE ARAL PROGRAM, ENSURING CONTINUITY OF
LEARNING, LEARNER PROGRESSION, AND ACADEMIC RECOVERY SUPPORT.

SECTION 3-B. Program Framework. - Xxx

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SECTION 3. A new section shall be added after Section 4 of Republic Act No. 6972
(Barangay-Level Total Development and Protection of Children Act) to read as follows:

SECTION 5S. MONITORING AND ACCOUNTABILITY. - THE DSWD AND DILG
SHALL ESTABLISH A NATIONAL MONITORING AND EVALUATION
MECHANISM TO ASSESS THE COMPLIANCE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS
(LGUS) WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT.

EACH BARANGAY SHALL SUBMIT ANNUAL STATUS REPORTS ON THE
PHYSICAL CONDITION, STAFFING, AND PROGRAM DELIVERY OF ITS DAY
CARE CENTER TO THE DILG, WHICH SHALL PREPARE AND TRANSMIT A
CONSOLIDATED NATIONAL REPORT TO CONGRESS.

BARANGAY OFFICIALS WHO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ACT WITHOUT JUSTIFIABLE CAUSE SHALL BE
SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS, AS MAY BE PRESCRIBED BY
EXISTING LAWS AND DILG REGULATIONS.

SECTION 4. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 6972 (Barangay-Level Total Development
and Protection of Children Act) shall be renumbered as Section 6, Section 6 shall be
renumbered as Section 7, Section 7 shall be renumbered as Section 8, and Section 8 shall be
renumbered as Section 9.

SECTION 5. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 6972 (Barangay-Level Total Development
and Protection of Children Act), is hereby amended to read as follows:

SEC.-7. Funds for the Center, the Program and Day Care Workers. - (a) The funds for the
establishment, REHABILITATION, CONTINUOUS maintenance and operation of
barangay day care centers shall be appropriated -from-the national budget-and-shall-be-ineluded
in-the-annual General Appropriations Act as-part-of the budget of the Department-of Social

INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS OF THE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs). A MINIMUM PERCENTAGE OF THE
BARANGAY’S INTERNAL REVENUE ALLOTMENT (IRA) SHALL BE
EARMARKED FOR THE OPERATION, IMPROVEMENT, AND STAFFING OF DAY
CARE SERVICES.

THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SHALL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CAPITAL
OUTLAY AND PERSONNEL SUPPORT, ESPECIALLY FOR BARANGAYS IN
GEOGRAPHICALLY ISOLATED, DISADVANTAGED, AND CONFLICT-AFFECTED
AREAS (GIDAS).

(B) THE DSWD, IN COORDINATION WITH THE DILG AND THE ECCD COUNCIL,
SHALL IDENTIFY NON-OPERATIONAL, UNDERPERFORMING, OR
SUBSTANDARD DAY CARE CENTERS AND IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE
REHABILITATION PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM SHALL INCLUDE
INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES, PROVISION OF LEARNING MATERIALS,
CAPACITY-BUILDING FOR STAFF, AND MODERNIZATION OF FACILITIES.
PRIORITY SHALL BE GIVEN TO CENTERS IN AREAS WITH HIGH CHILD
VULNERABILITY INDICES.

() (C) The province, city or municipality concemed shall provide financial assistance for the

establishment of every barangay day care center within their respective locality.
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SECTION 6. A new section shall be added after Section 4 of Republic Act No. 6972
(Barangay-Level Total Development and Protection of Children Act) to read as follows:

(e} (D) Barangay day care workers in accredited day care centers shall receive a monthly
allowance of not less than Five-huadsed THREE THOUSAND pesos (P500-00} (P3000.00) to
be charged to the annual appropriations of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

8 (E) In order to carry out the provisions of this Act, the amount needed for the program and
day care workers shall be appropriated in the General Appropriations Act of the year following
its enactment into law.

¢e} (F) A portion of health programs available to the Philippines under official aid or official
debt arrangements from foreign countries, the amount to be determined by the Office of the

President, shall be extended in support of the day care centers.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. — If any of the sections or provisions of this Act is
held invalid, all other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, issuances, rules and regulations
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

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