Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Aggressive behavior in early childhood is the single best predictor of aggression in 
later life. In the U.S., studies have shown that children who experienced violence as 
victims or witnesses are at increased risk of becoming violent themselves.   
For instance, children who had been victims of violence within their families were 
twenty four percent (24%) more likely to report violent behavior as adolescents, and 
adolescents who had grown up in families where partner violence occurred were 
twenty-one percent (21%) more likely to report violent delinquency than individuals not 
exposed to violence. 
In the U.S., research has demonstrated that aggression is primarily a learned behavior 
that develops through observation, imitation, and direct experience. Early childhood 
offers a critical period for overcoming risk for violent behavior and providing support 
for prosocial behavior. Primary prevention can be effective. When preschool teachers 
teach young children interpersonal problem-solving skills and other forms of conflict 
resolution, children are less likely to demonstrate problem behaviors. Violence 
prevention programs for very young children yield a multitude of benefits – by providing 
health and stability to the individual child and the child's family, and by reducing 
expenditures for medical care, special education, and involvement with the judicial 
system.  
This bill seeks to provide training in violence prevention to professionals and educators 
who work with children. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
August 3, 2023
2:05 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE TRAINING ON VIOLENCE PREVENTION 
TO PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH CHILDREN 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Violence Prevention 
Training for Early Childhood Educators Act.” 
Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the term: 
(A)
“At-risk children” means children who have been affected by violence through
direct exposure to abuse, other domestic violence, or violence in the
community.
(B)
“Early childhood education training program” means a program that –
(1)
Trains individuals to work with young children in early child development
programs or elementary schools;
(2)
Provides professional development to individuals working in early child
development programs or elementary schools;
(3)
Provides training to become an early childhood education teacher, an
elementary school teacher, a school counselor, or a child care provider;
and
(4)
Leads to a bachelor's degree or an associate's degree, a certificate for
working with young children, such as a Child Psychology degree or an
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equivalent credential, or, in the case of an individual with such a degree 
– certificate, or credential. 
(C)  
“Violence prevention” means: 
(1)  
Preventing violent behavior in children; 
(2)  
Identifying and preventing violent behavior in at-risk children; or 
(3)  
Identifying and ameliorating violent behavior in children who act out 
violently. 
(D)  
“School” means a public elementary school. 
(E)  
“Students” mean public elementary students.  
(F)  
“DepEd” means the Department of Education.  
(G)  
“Secretary” means the DepEd Secretary. 
 
Sec. 3. Program Authorized. – 
(A)  
Grant Authority. – The DepEd is authorized to award grants to public 
elementary schools that carry out early childhood education training programs 
and have applications approved under section 4 to enable the school to provide 
violence prevention training as part of the early childhood education training 
program. 
(B)  
Amount. – The Secretary shall determine the amount of grant under this Act. 
(C)  
Duration. – The Secretary shall award a grant under this Act for a period of not 
less than 3 years and not more than 5 years. 
 
Sec. 4. Application. – 
(A)  
Application Required. – Each school desiring a grant under this Act shall submit 
to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and accompanied 
by such information as the Secretary may require. 
(B)  
Contents. – Each application shall –  
(1)  
Describe the violence prevention training activities and services for 
which assistance is sought; 
(2)  
Contain a comprehensive plan for the activities and services, including 
a description of: 
(a)  
The goals of the violence prevention training program; 
(b)  
The profile of the teachers, counselors, and other child care 
providers; 


 
(c)  
The curriculum and training described in the plan; and  
(d)  
The methods for assessing the success of the violence 
prevention training program. 
(3)  
Contain an assurance that the school has the capacity to implement the 
plan; and 
(C)  
Contain an assurance that the plan was developed in consultation with the 
government and/or private agencies or non-government organizations that will 
assist the school in carrying out the plan. 
 
Sec. 5. Selection Priorities. – The Secretary shall give priority to awarding grants to 
schools carrying out violence prevention programs that include one or more of the 
following components: 
(A)  
Preparation to engage in family support, such as parent education, service 
referral, and literacy training. 
(B)  
Preparation to engage in community outreach or collaboration with other 
services in the community. 
(C)  
Preparation to use conflict resolution training with at-risk children. 
(D)  
Preparation to work in economically disadvantaged communities. 
(E)  
Recruitment of economically disadvantaged students. 
(F)  
Carrying out programs of demonstrated effectiveness in the type of training for 
which assistance is sought. 
 
Sec. 6. Appropriations. – Such sums as may be necessary to carry out this program 
are hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. 
 
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DepEd Secretary is hereby 
authorized and directed to adopt a system to implement and carry out the provisions 
of this Act. The DepEd shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, 
promulgate rules and regulations, including those of disciplinary nature, to carry out 
and enforce the provisions of this Act. 
 
 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. – If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision shall remain valid and 
subsisting. 


 
 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter 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. 10. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,