Republic o6f the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 8117

Introduced by Representatives John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, Edward Vera Perez Maceda, Eric
'M. Martinez, Federico II "Ricky" S. Sandoval, Dale "Along" R. Malapitan, and
Eric L. Olivarez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As a manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this representation respectfully refiles
this bill, which has constantly been receiving support from the past and present (Rep. Alejano’s
HBO7833) congress.

Pre-school education plays an integral role in early childhood development. Republic Act No. 6972 or
the Barangay-Level Total Development and Protection of Children, which was signed into law on
November 23, 1990, recognized such importance by establishing day care centers in every barangay.
Despite the landmark legislation and its outstanding accomplishments in child development, the day
care system still leaves much to be desired.

Among the different issues concerning the day care system, questionable practice standards and the
quality of day care workers/ instructors are areas where we can start to improve on. By providing an
‘environment conducive to learning and with the help of quality teachers, itis our hope that it will lead
toa better and much desirable performance of day care centers

The proposed legislation aims to improve the quality of pre-school education in the country by
Providing funds for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of barangay day care centers,
Providing standardized pay for day care workers, and providing an avenue to develop the curriculum
used in pre-schools and day care centers. The proposed legislation also details the set of qualifications
to be used in hiring day care workers. Moreover, day care workers will be mandated to continuously
undergo the necessary trainings in order to not only ensure that they are equipped and up-to-date with
the necessary teaching tools and techniques, but also to promote continuous development of pre-
school education as a whole.

In view of the foregoing, the favorable consideration and approval of this proposed legislation is

respectfully and estly sought.

SERVO” NIETO DALE "ALONG" MALAPITAN

EDW. Pl \CEDA FEDERICO II "RICKY" SANDOVAL
Cus 6H

iC MARTINI ERIC OLIVAREZ


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session
8117

House Bill No.
—_

Introduced by Representatives John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, Edward Vera Perez Maceda, Eric
M. Martinez, Federico II "Ricky" S. Sandoval, Dale "Along" R. Malapitan, and
Eric L. Olivarez

a

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-S years old with the end view of amply preparing
them for formal elementary schooling, and to provide for a standardized pay to the children’s
teachers

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 preschool
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
qualifying examination which shall test this preparedness in satisfying the curriculum for Grade |

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 barangays where the day
care centers are situated with appropriate support from the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD).

‘The Sanggunian of local government units 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 Department of Education (DepEd), formulate a standard pre-school
curriculum, including the formulation and development of the teachers’ and pupils’ study
‘materials and general guidelines for the organization and operation of pre-schools.

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

SEC. 7. Information Dissemination. The Philippine Information Agency (PIA), DSWD, and the
Sanggunian of local government units 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 in an
appropriate barangay resolution.

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.

4 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 and budget 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.

€ 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 after its complete publication in at least three (3)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,