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

THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

105

H. No.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

On 23 November 1990, the Barangay-Level Total Development & Protection of Children
Act was signed into law. This mandates the establishment of a day care center in every

barangay.

The value of early childhood development can be better appreciated when we examine
the rate of failure in the licensure examinations. For every 100 professional licensure examinees,
only 32 are able to pass. Further research revealed that this performance is exhibited in all
levels.

> For every 100 students who enter college, only 48 are able to earn a degree.

> For every 100 1* year high school students, only 68 are able to graduate,

> For every 100 Gr. 1 entrants, only 65 are able to finish Gr. 6. It was noted that 60% of
school dropouts in the elementary level occur in Grades 1 & 2.

We believe that a major contributing factor to our poor quality of education is the lack of
preparation for our schooling, The gradual acceptance of pre-schools in the country today
underscores the importance of pre-school education.

Child educators agree that starting educators at pre-school age has substantial benefits to
the learner and to society. By contributing to better academic performance, pre-schooling helps
reduce the number of repeaters, hence we cut back on educational expenditure.

Teachers in other levels will be compelled to continuously undergo training so they could
ably respond to the needs of better-prepared students entering elementary. With improved
performance of teachers, we would be offering better quality education to our students. This,
together with enhanced technical/vocational education, will allow us to generate a more educated
labor force that will gear us to be more globally competitive.

JUAN EDG:

Representative, Lone
Province of Aurora



THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )

First Regular Session )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.No.___105

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

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 the House of Representatives in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Pre-school Development Act
of 2004.”

SEC. 2, Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared to be 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 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 barangay may also call upon non-government organizations (NGOs)
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 shall:

(@) 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.

(©) in coordination with the DECS, 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.

(©) in coordination with the DECS, 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 a 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 afore-mentioned 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 barangay day care worker shall receive a
monthly salary of not lower than the prevailing minimum wage set by law.

SEC. 10. Funds for the Center, the Program and Day Care Workers. ~ (a) The funds for
the establishment, maintenance and operation of barangay day case 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 Acts.as part of the budget of the
DSWD.

(c) 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, Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules and regulations, and executive
orders contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC, 12. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect upon its publication in at least
two national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,