NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
25 IRH 22 P2 -49
SENATE
2938
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT 
SYSTEM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PERTINENT SECTIONS OF 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10410, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "EARLY YEARS 
ACT OF 2013", AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
It has been observed that children up to eight years of age spend an average 
of 15 minutes a day using mobile devices for entertainment purposes such as watch 
videos, play games, or even engage in social media1 and in 2019, it was found that 
around 10% of kids of kindergarten age in the country already have eye problems.2 
Excessive screen time use in young children has been associated with risks for 
developmental delays, attention problems, and poorer academic performance.3 It was 
also observed that children have become lazy and inactive, with their social skills 
rusting for being dependent on technology.4
1 Kids and modern technology. (2017, May 2). PhHstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/the- 
freeman/cebu-lifestyle/2017/05/03/1690384/kids-and-modern-technology
2 Yee, J. (2019, November 6). Eye experts advice to PH kids: Less time on gadgets, more outdoors | 
Inquirer News. INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1186238/eye-experts-advice-to-ph-kids- 
less-time-on-gadgets-more-outdoors
3 Dy, A. B. C., Dy, A. B. C., 8i Santos, S. K. (2023). Measuring effects of screen time on the 
development of children in the Philippines: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 23(1). 
https://doi.org/10.1186/sl2889-023-16188-4
4 Perez, A. (2024, November 20). Too much screen time may cause weight gain, slow brain 
development in children: experts | ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN. https://www.abs- 
cbn.com/news/2024/2/16/too-much-screen-time-may-cause-weight-gain-slow-brain-development-in- 
children-experts-1736


A recent survey conducted by Character.org in partnership with Ipsos tackling 
the challenges faced by parents on raising good kids in the digital age revealed that a 
majority of parents said that, in general, children today don't treat others with respect, 
are dishonest, don't show gratitude, and are lazy.5 Another survey conducted by the 
National Education Association (NEA) revealed that during the 2022-2023 school year, 
instances of disruptive and, in some cases, violent behavior among students became 
increasingly prevalent. As a result, many educators identified student behavior as one 
of their primary concerns.6
Character education is significant in shaping persons with moral integrity who 
can support a peaceful and morally upright society in addition to academically 
proficient individuals.
Republic Act No. 10410, also known as the Early Years Act of 2013, 
acknowledges the ages between zero (0) to eight (8) years as a critical phase in a 
child's educational development, thus, the effective implementation of the Good 
Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and Values Education Program (VEP) during the 
early childhood stage is essential to address the holistic needs of young children, 
thereby ensuring their optimum growth and development.
The inclusion of GMRC in the curriculum aims to equip Filipino children with 
robust moral and ethical principles necessary to guide their behavior and decision­
making in an increasingly technology-driven world, wherein a significant portion of 
human interaction now occurs in online environments. GMRC will foster responsible 
digital citizenship and moral resilience, enabling the youth to navigate the complexities 
and challenges of modern communication and technology with integrity and respect 
for others.
5 Langreo, L. (2023, January 26). Majority of parents say kids are dishonest, disrespectful, and lazy. 
Education Week, https://www.edweek.org/ieadership/majority-of-parents-say-kids-are-dishonest- 
disrespectfu!-and-lazy/2023/01
6 Long, C. (2024, August 6). Breaking the cycle of bad behavior. NEA Today. Retrieved from 
https://www.nea.ora/nea-todav/all-news-articles/breakinQ-cvcle-bad-behavior


Socio-cultural and civic engagement activities help young children learn about 
their communities, develop social skills, and develop a sense of responsibility. To 
complement the GMRC and values education, and early childhood care and 
development (ECCD) programs of the government, this measure seeks to promote the 
involvement of young children in socio-civic activities as a method of enforcing positive 
discipline towards shaping their moral and personal development to be adjusted to 
the State's national citizenhood goals.
OBirtmOOD C. PADILLA
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
25 .lf\M 22 P2:49
SENATE
S. No. 2938
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
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AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT 
SYSTEM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PERTINENT SECTIONS OF 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10410, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "EARLY YEARS 
ACT OF 2013", AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
Section 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 10410, or the Early Years Act of 2013 
(EYA), is amended to read as follows:
"Section 3. Objectives. - The National ECCD System shall pursue the 
following objectives:
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(b) To enhance the physical-motor, socio-emotional, cognitive, 
language, psychological, VALUES, CHARACTER, AND spiritual 
development of young children;
(c) TO FOSTER MORAL RESILIENCE TO ENABLE THE 
YOUTH TO NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES AND 
CHALLENGES OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY WITH 
INTEGRITY AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS;
im (d) To facilitate a smooth transition from care, 
DISCIPLINE, and education provided at home to community or 
school-based setting and to kindergarten;


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[(d)] (e) To ensure that young children are adequately prepared 
for the formal learning system that begins at kindergarten;
(0 To establish an efficient system for early identification, 
prevention, referral and intervention for the wide range of 
children with special needs from age zero (0) to four (4) years;
im (g) To upgrade and update the capabilities of service 
providers and their supervisors to comply with quality standards 
for various ECCD programs;
[(§)] (h) To reinforce the role of parents and other caregivers as 
the primary caregivers, DISCIPLINARIANS, AND educators of 
their children especially from age zero (0) to four (4) years;
[0^] (') To enhance and sustain the efforts of communities to 
promote ECCD programs and ensure that special support is 
provided for poor, disadvantaged and linguistic minority 
communities;
[0] (j) To improve the quality standards of public and private 
ECCD programs through, but not limited to, a registration and 
credential system for ECCD service providers and facilities;
[6)] (k) To ensure that the education of persons, and in 
particular children, who are blind, deaf or deafblind, are 
conducted in the most appropriate languages, modes and means 
of communication for the individual, and in environments which 
maximize academic and social development; and
(I) To employ teachers, including teachers with disabilities, 
who are qualified in sign language and/or braille, and to train 
professionals and staff who work at all levels of education."


Sec. 2. Section 4 of EYA, is amended to read as follows:
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'Section 4. Definitions. - The following terms are defined as follows: 
(a) Eariy Chiidhood Care and Development (ECCD) System shall 
refer to the full range of health, nutrition, early education AND 
DISCIPLINE, and social services development programs that 
provide for the basic holistic needs of young children from age 
zero (0) to four (4) years; and to promote their optimum growth, 
development, AND GOOD MORAL CHARACTER.
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(c) ECCD Curriculum shall refer to the developmentally- 
appropriate educational objectives and practices, programs of 
activities, organized learning experiences, recommended learning 
materials and appropriate assessment for children from age zero 
(0) to four (4) years 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 that are age-appropriate, [individually] 
DEVELOPMENTALLY appropriate, and culturally relevant. ITS 
COMPONENTS SHALL AIM TO INSTILL A SENSE OF 
RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD THE COMMUNITY AND THE 
ENVIRONMENT WHILE FOSTERING THE DEVELOPMENT 
OF SKILLS, ATTITUDES, AND VALUES ESSENTIAL FOR 
PERSONAL GROWTH AND MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION 
IN AN EVOLVING AND PROGRESSIVE SOCIETY UNDER A 
REGIME OF POSITIVE DISCIPLINE THAT RESPECTS A 
CHILD'S DIGNITY.
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Sec. 3. Section 5 of EYA, is amended to read as follows:
"Section 5. System Framework and Components. - The ECCD System 
shall ensure that the National ECCD Program is implemented in 
accordance with quality standards for accreditation and for this purpose 
there shall be established a National ECCD Monitoring and Evaluation 
Framework. The ECCD System shall include the following components:
(a) ECCD Curriculum. - The curriculum shall focus on children's 
total development and take into account age, individual and 
socio-cultural appropriateness. It shall [promote] SUPPORT the 
[delivery] PROVISION of complementary and integrative 
services, [for] INCLUDING THOSE RELATED TO health, 
nutrition, eariy childhood education AND DISCIPLINE, 
sanitation, and [cultural] activities PROMOTING CULTURAL, 
MORAL, AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. It shall use the 
child's first language as the medium of instruction;
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Sec. 4. Section 6 of EYA, is amended to read as follows:
"Section 6. Expanding the ECCD System. -The National ECCD System 
shall henceforth apply to all provinces, cities, municipalities and 
barangays as may be determined by the ECCD Council to achieve 
universal ECCD coverage for all children from age zero (0) to four (4) 
years.
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO 
ESTABLISH A PROVINCIAL EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND 
DEVELOPMENT OFFICE (PECCDO) TO ENSURE THE 
IMPLEMENTATION OF ECCD PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS OF 
THE PROVINCE."


Sec. 5. Section 11 of EYA, is amended to read as follows:
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"Section 11. Appropriations. - The amount needed [for-thc initial 
Implementation of this Act shall bo charged -against-tho current year's
appropriations of the DepED, the DSWD, the DOH and the NNC for the
purpose. Thereafter, such sums os may be necessary] for the continued 
implementation of this Act shali be inciuded in the annual General 
Appropriations Act (GAA).
In addition, the Phiiippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation shail 
contribute an amount of [Five hundred miliion pesos (P500,000,000.00)] 
ONE BILLION PESOS (Pl,000/000,000.00) per year for ANOTHER 
five (5) years from its gross income to fund the establishment of National 
Child Development Centers and the conversion of existing Day Care 
Centers into Child Development Centers in various LGUs upon approvai 
of this Act. Said amount shall be directly remitted in four (4) quarterly 
installments to a special account of the ECCD Council."
Sec. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall remain 
valid and subsisting.
Sec. 7. Repealing Clause.— Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, ietter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or 
amended accordingly.
Sec. 8. Effectivity.— This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
pubiication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation in the Phiiippines.
Approved,