Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

“ 1405
COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

OS SEP 2011

Submitted by the Committee on Basie Edueation on
RE : HOUSE BILL NO. 246
Recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 3507.

SPONSORS : Representatives Escudero, Angara and Almario

Mr. Speaker:

The Commitee on Basic Education and Culture, to which was referred House Bill No. 3507,
introduced by Reps. Salvador H. Escudero Ul, Juan Edgarda M, Angara and Thelma Z. Almario, entitled:

“AN ACT
RECOGNIZING THE EARLY YEARS FROM 0 TO 6 YEARS AS THE FIRST CYCLE OF
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND FOR THIS PURPOSE AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO,
8980, STRENGTHENING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

bas considered the same and recommends thatthe attached House Bill No, S246 emitted:

“AN ACT.
RECOGNIZING THE EARLY YEARS FROM ZERO (0) TO SIX (6) AS THE FIRST CRUCIAL
STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT AND FOR THIS PURPOSE STRENGTHENING THE EARLY
CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, RENAMING THE DAY CARE CENTER
AS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

bbe approved in substitution of House Bill No, 3507 with Reps. Salvador H. Escudero Ul, Juan Edgardo M.
Angara, Thelma Z. Almario, Mariano U, Piamonte, Jr., Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, Sharon S. Garin, Eduardo
R. Gullas, Philip A. Pichay, Anthony Rolando T. Golez, Jr, Jey P. Treias, George P. Amaiz, Mark A.
Villar, Deogracias B. Ramos, Jr., Paoto Everardo S. Javier, Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica, Rosenda Ann
Ocampo, Jane T. Castro, Antonio L. Tinio, Roger G. Mercado, Manuel S. Agyao, Maximo B, Dalog, Edwin
L, Olivarez, Rogelio J. Espina, Florencio T. Flores, Jr., Pryde Henry A. Teves, Raymond V. Palatino, Mel
Senen S, Sarmiento, Monique Yazmin Q. Lagdameo, Erico B, Aumentado and Lani Mercado-Revilla as
authors thereof.

Respectfully submitted,

Wig Wy
SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO Il
‘Chairperson

‘Committee on Basic Education and Culture

‘THE HONORABLE SPEAKER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY


‘This System shatl promote the inclusion of children with special needs and advocate
respect for cultural and linguistic diversity. It shall be anchored on complementary strategies
for ECCD that include service delivery for children from zero (0) to age six (6), educating
parents and caregivers, encouraging the active involvement of parents and communities in
ECCD programs, raising awareness about the important efforts that improve the quality of
life for young children and families.

It shail also be the policy of the State to recognize the early years from zero (0) to age
six (6) as the first crucial stage of educational development.

SI

a)

b)

°)

ad

°)

8)

4)

3. Objectives. - The objectives of the National ECCD System are:

To achieve improved infant and child survival rates by ensuring that adequate
health and nutrition programs are accessible to young children and their
parents from the prenatal period throughout the early childhood years;

To enhance the physical-motor, socioemotional, cognitive, language,
psychological and spiritual development of young children;

To facilitate a smooth transition from care and education provided at home to
community or school- based setting and to kindergarten and primary school;

To ensure that young children are adequately prepared for the formal learning
system and that both public and private schools are responsive to the
development needs of these children;

To establish an efficient system for carly identification, prevention, referral
and intervention for the wide range of
(0) to six (6) years;

ren with special needs from zero

To upgrade and update the capabilities of service providers and thei
supervisors to comply with quality standards for various ECCD programs;

To reinforce the role of parents and other caregivers as the primary caregivers
and educators of their children especially from zero (0) to six (6) years;

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; and

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.



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SEC. 4. Definitions. — For purposes of this Act:

8) “Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System shall refer to the
fall range of health, nutrition, early education and social development
programs that provide for the basic holistic needs of young children from zero
(0) to age six (6), and to promote their optimum growth and development.
‘These programs include:

1) Cemter-based programs, such as the day care service established under
Republic Act No. 6972, hereinafter referred to as the child
development service, public and private pre-schools, kindergarten or
school-based programs, community or church-based early childhood
education programs initiated by non-government organizations or
people’s orgunizations, workplace-related child care and education
programs, child-minding centers, health centers and stations; and

2) Home-based programs, such as the neighborhood-based play groups,
family child care programs, parent education and home visiting
programs.

b) ECCD Service Providers shall include the various professionals,
paraprofessionals, and volunteer caregivers who are dircetly responsible for
the care and education of young children from zero (0) to six (6) years
through the various center and home-based programs. They include, but are
not limited to, day care workers hereinafter referred to as child development
workers, child development tcachers, teacher-aides, rural health midwives,
social workers, community health workers, barangay nutrition scholars, parent
effectiveness service volunteers, and family day care providers.

¢) 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 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 appropriate and culturally-relevant.

4) Parent Education shall refer to the various formal and alternative means of
providing parents with information, skills, and support systems to assist them
in their roles as their children's primary caregivers and educators. These
include public and private parent education programs linked to center, home
and media-based child care and education programs.


SEC. 5. System Framework and Components. ~ The ECCD System shall include the
following components:

a) ECCD Curriculum - which focuses on children’s total development and takes
into accownt age, individual and socio-cultural appropriateness. It shail
promote the delivery of complementary and integrative services for health
care, nutrition, early childhood education, sanitation, and cultural activities. 1
shall use the child's first language as the medium of instruction.

b) Parent Education and Involvement, Advocacy, and Mobilization of
Communities - which harness and develop parents’ strengths as providers of
ECCD programs at home, as active partners of other stakeholders, as
advocates for community concems that affect children, and as pillars of
support for local and national ECCD programs through community
organization efforts.

©) Human Resource Development Program - which establishes mechanisms for
the systematic professionalization of ECCD service providers, through
enrollment in educational programs in site-based or distance education modes,
through pre-service or in-service training including continuing education
programs, whereby a registration and credential system shall be developed in
the ECCD System.

4) ECCD Management - which focuses on a continuing process of planning,
implementation, supervision, financial management, monitoring, evaluation
and reporting to persons concerned. {t shall encourage the active involvement
and build the capabilities of serviee providers, parents and local government
officials to sustain the program, and it shall be guided by the principles of
decentralization as stipulated in the Local Government Code of 1991 and the
principles of shared governance in the Governance of Basic Education Act of
2001.

©) Quality Standards and Accreditation - which ensures that each component in
the ECCD System complics with national quality standards to be established
by the ECCD Council linked to an accreditation process,

SEC. 6, Expanding the ECCD System. - The National ECCD System shall be
expanded to all provinces, cities/municipalities and barangays as may be determined by the
ECCD Council to achieve universal ECCD coverage for all children from zero (0) to six (6)
years.

SEC. 7. Implementing Arrangements and Operational Structures. - The
implementation of the National ECCD System shall be the responsibility of the ECCD
Council.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

15" CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILL NO. 5246
(in substitution of House Bill No. 3507)

Introduced by Reps. SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO II, JUAN FDGARDO M.
ANGARA ‘THELMA Z. ALMARIO, MARIANO U. PIAMONTF, JR., JOSEPH
VICTOR G. EJERCITO, SHARON S, GARIN, EDUARDO R. GULLAS, PHILIP A.
PICHAY, ANTHONY ROLANDO T. GOLEZ, JR., JERRY P. TRENAS, GEORGE P.
ARNAIZ, MARK A. VILLAR, DEOGRACIAS B, RAMOS, JR., PAOLO EVERARDO
S. JAVIER, LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA, ROSENDA ANN OCAMPO, JANE
T. CASTRO, ANTONIO L. TINIO, ROGER G. MERCADO, MANUEL S. AGYAO,
MAXIMO B. DALOG, EDWIN L. OLIVAREZ, ROGELIO J. ESPINA, FLORENCIO
T. FLORES, JR., PRYDE HENRY A. TEVES, RAYMOND V. PALATINO, MEL
SENEN S. SARMIENTO, MONIQUE YAZMIN Q. LAGDAMEO, ERICO B.
AUMENTADO AND LANI MERCADO-REVILLA

AN ACT
RECOGNIZING THE EARLY YEARS FROM ZERO (0) TO SIX (6) AS THE FIRST
CRUCIAL STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT AND FOR THIS PURPOSE
STRENGTHENING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT
COUNCIL, RENAMING THE DAY CARE CENTER AS CHILD DEVELOPMENT
CENTER, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title— This Act shall be known as the “Early Years Act (EYA) of
2011".

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
promote the rights of chiiéren to survival, development and special protection with full
recognition of the nature of childhood and as well as the need to provide developmentally
appropriate experiences to address their needs; and to support parents in their roles as primary
caregivers and as their children’s first teachers,

The State shall institutionalize a National System for Early Childhood Care and
Development (ECCD) that is comprehensive, integrative and sustainable, that involves multi-
sectoral and inter-agency collaboration at the national and local levels, among government,
service providers, families and communities, public and private sectors, nongovernment
organizations; professional associations, and academic institutions,


a) Responsibilities of the ECCD Council. - The ECCD Council shall be responsible
for developing policies and programs, providing technical assistance and support
to the ECDD service providers and monitoring of ECCD service benefits and
outcomes.

‘The Department of Education (DepED), the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD), the Department of liealth (DOH), the National Nutrition
Couneil (NNC) and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) shall
jointly prepare annual ECCD work plans that will coordinate theie respective
technical assistance and support for the Nations! ECCD Program. They shall
consolidate the following existing program implementing guidelines that ensure
consistency in integrated service delivery within the National ECCD System.

1) The DepED shalll promote the National ECCD Program in schools. ECCD
programs in public schools shall be the joint responsibility of their
respective school principal/school-head and purent-teachers associations
(PTAs) within the standards set forth in the National FCCD System and
under the guidance of the city/municipal ECCD Coordinating Committees
for the effective and equitable delivery of ECCD services. It shall also
make available existing facilities of public elementary schools for ECCD
classes.

2) Private pre-schools shall be registered by the Council upon the
recommendation of the eity/municipal ECCD Coordinating Committees.
NGO-initiated community, church, home, and workplace-based service
providers shall be registered by the Council upon the recommendation of
the city/municipal ECCD Coordinating Committees. These public and
private ECCD service providers shal] operate within the standards set forth
in the National ECCD System.

b) Responsibilities of Local Government Units. - Local government units (LGUs)
shall be primarily responsible for:

1. Implementing the Nationat ECCD System by providing basie public ECCD
programs;

2. Supporting the organization of parent cooperatives to initiate the
establishment of ECCD programs;

3. Ensuring that service providers of public ECCD programs under their
supervision shall be justly compensated, that adequate funds are available,
and their working conditions are conducive to fulfill national quality
standards; and



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4. Providing funds for the training and continuing education of ECCD public
service providers.

©) Responsibilities of Families and Communities. — Families and communities shall
support the local ECCD programs by participating in various projects for the
overall development of their children from zero (0) to six (6) years.

SEC. 8, Strengthening the ECCD Council. — The ECCD Councit shall be
strengthened to ensure the State's focus on building a strong foundation for the development
and learning of children during the early years from zero (0) to six (6) years, to support the
full range of health, nutrition, early education and social development programs for the
child’s holistic development and ensure sustained inter-agency and multi-sectoral
collaboration,

SEC. 9, Organization of the ECCD Council. - The ECCD Council shall be composed
oft

a) ECCD Governing Board. - The ECCD Governing Board shall be headed by a
Chairperson with the salary grade and emoluments of a cabinet sceretary to be
appointed by the President, and shall have as members the heads of the :

Department of Education (DepED);

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD);
Department of Health (DOH);

National Nutrition Council (NNC); and

Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP)

In addition, one (1) private individual who is an ECCD practitioner and expert
shall be appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Board,

The heads of the concerned departments, agencies and institutions shall as
much as possible attend the meetings of the Board, In their absence they must
designate a permanent representative with a rank not lower than an Undersecretary or
its equivalent who may attend and participate at meetings of the Board.

‘The Board shall meet once a month or as often as necessary.

b) Council Secretariat. - There shall be established an ECCD Secretariat headed by an
Executive Director to be appointed by the President upon recommendation of the
Board. The Eecutive Director shal! have the rank, privileges, and emoluments of a
Career Executive Service Officer 1.

There shall be created two (2) permanent positions of Deputy Executive
Directors to be appointed by the Board, one of whom shatl be concemed with ECCD

6


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programs and activities and the other with general administrative services of the
ECCD Council.

The Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Directors shall be assisted
by a designated ECCD Focal Person from the DepED, DSWD, DOH, NNC and
ULAP and by technical staff as may be necessary to achieve (he goals and objectives
of the National ECCD System.

SEC. 10, Functions of the ECCD Council. - The FCCD Council shall implement the
National Early Childhood Care and Development System and perform the following
functions:

1, Promulgate policies and implementing guidelines for ECCD programs in
consultation with stakeholders, including the regional level when appropriate,
consistent with the national policy and program frameworks as defined in this
Acct;

2, Establish ECCD program standards that reflect developmentally appropriate
practices for ECCD programs, which shall interface with the kindergarten and
primary school curriculum of the DepED;

3. Develop a national system for the recruitment, registration, continuing
education and equivalency, and credential system of ECCD service providers,
supervisors and administrators to improve and professionalize the ECCD
sector and upgrade quality standards of public and private ECCD programs;

4. Develop a national system of awards and recognition to deserving ECCD
rogram implementers and service providers;

$. Promote, encourage and coordinate the various ECCD programs of the
DepED, DSWD, DOH AND NNC and monitor the delivery of services to the
ECCD program beneficiaries nationwide;

6. Evaluate and assess the impact and outcome of various ECCD programs
nationwide through an effective information system;

7. Develop and establish a national system for early identification, screening, and
surveillance of young children;

8. Develop and implement various support mechanisms that maximize the public
and private resources for implementing ECCD programs, giving priority to the
needy and high risk children from poor communities



9. Provide funds to poor and disadvantaged communities for the establishment
and expansion of public ECCD programs, improvement of physical facilities
and for hiring of ECCD service providers;

10. Promote and encourage private sector initiatives for the establishment of
ECCD programs;

1. Provide guidelines for the conduct of solicitations and requests for assistance
from local and international civic organizations, private philanthropic
foundations to supplement available resources; and

12. Perform such other functions as the ECCD Council may deem necessary.

SEC. 11, Annual Report. - The ECCD Couneil shall, at the close of each cafendar
year, submit an anqual report to Congress, giving a detailed account of its proceedings and
accomplishments during the year and making recommendations for the adoption of measures
that will improve the National ECCD System and ensure achievement of universal coverage
of ECCD benefits (o all children from zero (0) to six (6) years.

SEC. 12.  Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional the same shal} not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions
thereof.

SEC. 13, Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 8980, otherwise known as the
“Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Act” is hereby repealed. Pertinent
provisions of all laws, decrees, executive orders, presidential proclamations, rules and
regulations or parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly,

SEC. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - ‘The Couneil in consultation with
appropriate government agencies and nongovernment organizations shall formulate and issue
the necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days
after the effectivity of this Act,

SEC. 15. Effectivity Clause, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,


FACT SHEET

House Bil No,__5246
Substitute Bill of House Bill No. 3507
(As Approved by the Committee)

EARLY YEARS ACT

Introduced by; REPS, SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO IL, JUAN EDGARDO M. ANGARA, THELMA Z-
ALMARIO, MARIANO U. PIAMONTE, JR, JOSEPH VICTOR G, EJERCITO,
SHARON §, GARIN, EDUARDO R. GULLAS, PHILIP A. PICHAY, ANTHONY
ROLANDO T, GOLEZ, JR., JERRY P, TRENAS, GEORGE P, ARNAIZ, MARK A.
VILLAR, DEOGRACIAS 'B. RAMOS, JR, PAOLO EVERARDO S, JAVIER,
LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA, ROSENDA ANN M. OCAMPO, JANE T.
CASTRO, ANTONIO L. TINIO, ROGER G. MERCADO, MANUEL S. AGYAO,
MAXIMO B. DALOG, EDWIN L. OLIVAREZ, ROGLLIO J, ESPINA, FLORENCIO T.
FLORES, JK, PRYDE HENRY A. TEVES, RAYMOND V. PALATINO, MEL SENEN S.
SARMIENTO, MONIQUE YASMIN Q. LAGDAMEO, ERICO B. AUMENTADO AND.
LANI MERCADO-REVILLA

Committee Referral; Committee on Basic Education and Culture (Primary)
Committee Chairperson: REP. SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO III

OBJECTIVES:

* To expand and improve the comprehensive early childhood care and education program
especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children,

* To promote the rights of children to survival, development and special protection as well
a8 support parents in their roles as primary caregivers and as their children's first
‘teachers,

KEY PROVISIONS:

© Recognizes the early years from zero (0) to age six (6) as the first crucial stage of
educational development and promote the rights.

© Promotes the inclusion of children with Special needs and advocates respect for cultural
and linguistic diversity,

‘+ Institutionalizes the National Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System
that is comprehensive, integrative and sustainable.

* Mandates the ECCD Council to provide the full range of health, nutrition, early education
and social services programs for the child’s holistic development.

RELATED LAWS:

* Republic Act 8980, Early Childhood Care and Development Act
«Republic Act 9155, Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001

+ Executive Order 685 (Issued on January 10, 2008), Expanding the Preschool Coverage to
Include Children Enrolled in Day Care Centers


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

15" CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3507

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Reps. SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO III, JUAN EDGARDO M. ANGARA
and THELMA Z. ALMARIO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is a commitment of the Government of the Philippines to achieve the universal
aspirations of all 192 United Nations member states for Education for All (EFA) and the
Millenium Development Goals by Year 2015. The six (6) internationally agreed EFA goals
aimed at meeting the learning needs of all children, youth and adults include the following: (1)
Expanding and improving comprehensive early childhood care and education, especially for the
most vulnerable and disadvantaged children and (2) ensuring that by 2015 all children,
particularly girls, children in difficult circumstances and those who belong to ethnic minorities,
have access to, and complete, free and compulsory primary education of good quality.

The Department of Education (DepEd) National EFA Committee identified the following
as one of six most critical tasks that will yield the desired educational outcomes by Year 2015:
To make expansion of Early Child Care and Development (ECCD) coverage yield more EFA
benefits.

In 2004, the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines Education Committee
suggested a model learning system consisting of the following five (5) cycles of educational
development:

No. I ~ Ages 0 to 6 : Foundation cycle
No. 2— Ages 6 to 12 : Elementary education cycle

No. 3 — Ages 12 to 18 : Secondary education cycle

No. 4 ~ Ages 18 to 24 : Higher education cycle

No. 5 ~ Ages 24 and above : Continuing education cycle

The Early Childhood Care and Development Council has been implementing a National
System for Early Childhood Care and Development that consists of a “full range of health,
nutrition, early education and social services programs that provide for the basic holistic needs of
young children from conception (0) to age six (6), and to promote their optimum growth and
development”. The “Early Childhood Care and Development Act of 2000” or R.A. 8980 must
be revisited and certain provisions amended for the purpose of strengthening the strategic role of
the ECCD Council in fostering a comprehensive, integrative and sustainable multi-sectoral and
inter-agency collaboration for early childhood care and development of the 0 to 6 years old
among national government agencies, local government units, non-governmental organizations,
families and communities; and among the private sectors, professional associations and academic
institutions.

The National Statistical Coordination Board projected a population of about 13 M for the
0 to 6 years old age group --- approximately 14% of the total country’s population of 95 M. But


in 2009, only 1 of every 4 or approximately 3,234,399 of this age group were provided early
childhood care and development in the country’s day care centers and in DepEd pre-schools.

It is during the early years from 0 to 6 when the leaming pathways to the brain (which is
the core on which all future learning is based) are formed. Yet nearly every country in the world
spends well under 10 percent of its education budget on the years when S0 percent of educational
development takes place.

This bill is introduced for the State to adopt a policy recognizing the early years from
conception (0) to age six (6) as the First Cycle of Educational Development and ai
provisions of R.A. 8980 on the basis of the experiences of its implementation since

In view of the foregoing. passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

(Lo eas

SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO III JUAN EDGARDO M. ANGARA
Representative Representative
1" District. Sorsogon Lone District. Aurora

cA
uur | Waar
THELATA Z. ALMARIO
Representative
2" District, Davao Oriental


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

15 CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3507

Introduced by Reps. SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO III, JUAN EDGARDO M. ANGARA
and THELMA Z. ALMARIO.

AN ACT
RECOGNIZING THE EARLY YEARS FROM 0 TO 6 YEARS OLD AS THE FIRST
CYCLE OF EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND FOR THIS PURPOSE
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8980, STRENGTHENING THE EARLY
CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

Be it enacted by Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title — This Act shall be known as the “Early Years Act of 2010.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy ~ It is hereby declared a policy of the State to promote the
rights of children to survival, development and special protection with full recognition of the
nature of childhood and its special needs; and to support parents in their roles as primary
caregivers and as their children’s first teachers. The State shall institutionalize a National
System for Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) that is comprehensive, integrative
and sustainable, that involves multi-sectoral and inter-agency collaboration at the national and
local levels among government, service providers, families and communities; and among the
public and private sectors, non-government organizations; professional associations, and
academic institutions. This System shall promote the inclusion of children with special needs
and advocate respect for cultural diversity. It shall be anchored on complementary strategies for
ECCD that include service delivery for children from conception to age six (6), educating
parents and caregivers, encouraging the active involvement of parents and communities in
ECCD programs, raising awareness about the important efforts that improve the quality of life
for young children and families. It is also the policy of the State to recognize the early years
from conception (0) to age six (6) as the first cycle of educational development during which
fifty percent (50%) of the child’s ability to learn is developed from which shall be formed the
main leaming pathways in the brain that shall be the basis for future learning.

SEC. 3. Objectives. — The objectives of the National ECCD System are:
a) To achieve improved infant and child survival rates by ensuring that adequate
health and nutrition programs are accessible to young children and their

parents from the prenatal period throughout the early childhood years:

b) To enhance the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, psychological, spiritual
and language development of young children;


©) To enhance the role of parents as the primary caregivers and educators of
their children especially from conception (0) to six (6) years;

qd

To facilitate a smooth transition from care and education provided at home to
community or school-based setting and to primary school;

©)

To enhance the capabilities of service providers and their supervisors to
comply with quality standards for various ECCD program

f) To enhance and sustain the efforts of communities to promote ECCD
programs and ensure that special support is provided for poor and
disadvantaged communitis

To ensure that young children are adequately prepared for the formal learning
system and that both public and private schools are responsive to the
development needs of these children;

g

hy

To establish an efficient system for early identification, prevention, referral
and intervention for giftedness and development disorders and disabilities in
children from conception (0) to six (6) years; and

i) 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.

SEC. 4. Definitions. — For purposes of this Act:

a) “Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System” refers to the full
range of health, nutrition, early education and social services programs that
provide for the basic holistic needs of young children from conception (0) to
age six (6), and to promote their optimum growth and development. These
include:

1) Center-based programs, such as the day care service established under
R.A. 6972, public and private pre-schools, kindergartens or school-
based programs, community or churchObased early childhood
education programs initiated by non-government organizations or
people's organizations or people’s organizations, workplace-related
child care and education programs, child-minding centers, health
centers and stations; and

2

Home-based programs, such as the neighborhood-based play groups,
family day care programs, parent education and home visiting
programs.

b) “ECCD Service Providers” include the various _ professionals,
paraprofessionals, and volunteer caregivers who are directly responsible for
the care and education of children from conception (0) to six (6) years through
the various center and home-based programs. ‘They include but are not
limited to, day care workers, teachers, teacher-aiders, rural health midwives,
social workers, community health workers, barangay nutrition scholars, parent
effectiveness service-volunteers, child development workers, and family day
care providers.

°)

“ECCD Curriculum” refers to the age-appropriate and developmentally
appropriate educational objectives, programs of activities, organized learning
experiences and recommended learning materials for children 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 integrating local learning experiences and
indigenous learning materials.

d) “Parent Education” refers to the various formal and alternative means of
providing parents with information, skills, and support systems to assist them
in their roles as their children’s primary caregivers and educators. These
include public and private parent education programs linked to center, home
and media-based child care and education programs.

SEC. 5. System Framework and Components. — The
following components:

ECCD System shall include the

a) ECCD Curriculum --- which focuses on children’s total development
according to their individual needs and socio-cultural background. It shall
promote the delivery of complementary and integrative services for health
care, nutrition, early childhood education, sanitation, and cultural activities.
It shall use the childs first language as the medium of instruction.

b) Parent Education and Involvement, Advocacy and Mobilization of
Communities --- which harness and develop parents’ strengths as providers
of ECCD programs at home, active partners of other stakeholders. advocates
for community concems that affect children, and pillars of support for local
and national ECCD programs through community organization efforts.

©) Human Resource Development Program --- which established mechanisms
for the systematic professionalization of ECCD service providers, through
enrollment in educational programs in site-based or distance education
modes, through pre-service or in-services training including continuing
education program, whereby a registration and credential system shall be
developed in the ECCD System.

d) ECCD Management --- which focuses on a continuing process of planning,
implementation, supervision, financial management, monitoring, evaluation
and reporting. It shall encourage the active involvement and build the
capabilities of service providers, parents and local government officials to
sustain the program, and it shall be guided by the principles of devolution as
stipulated in the Local Government Code of 1991 and the principle of shared
governance in the Governance of Basic Education Act (R.A. 9155) of 2001.

©) Quality Standards and Accreditation --- which ensures that each component
in the ECCD System complies with national quality standards established by
the ECCD Council linked to an accreditation process.

SEC. 6. Expanding the ECCD System. --- The National ECCD System shall be
expanded to all provinces, cities/municipalities and barangays as may be determined by the
ECCD Council in order to achieve universal coverage of all children from conception (0) to six
(6) years over a five-year period.

SEC. 7. Implementing Arrangements and Operational Structures. --- The implementation
of the National ECCD System shall be the joint responsibility of the ECCD Council and the local
government units, non-government organizations, and private organizations that are accredited to
deliver the services or to provide training and technical assistance.

a) Responsibilities of the ECCD Council — The ECCD Council shall be
responsible for developing policies and programs, providing technical


assistance and support to the ECDD service providers in consultation with
coordinating committees at the provincial, city/municipal and barangay levels
and monitoring of ECCD service benefits and outcomes. The Department of
Education (DepEd), the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the National Nutrition Council
(NNC) and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) shall
jointly prepare annual ECCD work plans that will coordinate their respective
technical assistance and support for the National ECCD Program. ‘They shall
consolidate existing program implementing guidelines that ensure consistency
in integrated service delivery within the National ECCD System.

1) The DepEd shall promote the National ECCD Program in schools.
ECCD programs in public schools shall be under the joint
responsibility of their respective school principal/school-head and
parent-teachers associations (PTAs) within the standards set forth in
the National ECCD System and under the guidance of the
city/municipal ECCD Coordinating Committees for the effective and
equitable delivery of ECCD services. It shall also make available
existing facilities of public elementary schools for ECCD classes.

2) Private pre-schools shall be registered by the Council upon the
recommendation of the city/municipal ECCD Coordinating
Committees. NGO-initiated community, church, home, and
workplace-based service providers shall be registered by the Council
upon the recommendation of the city/municipal ECCD Coordinating
Committees. These public and private ECCD service providers shall
operate within the standards set forth in the National ECCD System
and under the guidance of the city/municipal Coordinating
Communities for the effective delivery of ECCD services.

b) Responsibilities of Local Government Units — Local government units
(LGUs) shall be primarily responsible for:

1) Implementing the National ECCD Program by providing basic public
ECCD services;

2) Supporting the organization of parent cooperatives to initiate the
establishment of ECCD programs;

3

Ensuring that service providers of public ECCD programs under their
supervision shall be justly compensated, that adequate funds are
available, and their working conditions are conducive to fulfill national
quality standards; and,

4

Providing counterpart funds for the training and continuing education
of ECCD public service providers, and supporting the operations of
provincial, city/municipal and barangay ECCD Coordinating
Committees.

©) Responsibilities of Families and Communities - The families and
communities shall support the local ECCD programs by participating in
various projects for the overall development of their children from conception
(0) to six (6) years.

SEC. 8. Strengthening the Early Childhood Care and Development Council. — To ensure
the State’s focus on building a strong foundation for the learning and development of children
during the early years from conception (0) to six (6) years; support the full range of health,


nutrition, early education and social services programs for the child’s holistic development; and
ensure sustained inter-agency and multi-sectoral collaboration among the provincial,
city/municipal and barangay ECCD Coordinating Committees, the Early Childhood Care and
Development Council is hereby strengthened.

a) Organization

b

c)

d

[he Early Childhood Care and Development Council shall be
composed of a Governing Board and a Secretariat. The ECCD Governing
Board shall be headed by a Chairman with the salary grade and emoluments
of a cabinet secretary to be appointed by the President.

Composition of the Governing Board --- The following shall be members of
the ECCD Governing Board:

1) Department of Education (DepEd)

2) Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
3) Department of Health (DOH)

4) National Nutrition Council (NNC)

5) Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP)

In addition, one (1) private individual who is an ECCD practitioner and expert
shall be appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Board who
shall serve for a term of two (2) years subject to one (1) reappointment,

‘The heads of the concerned departments, agencies and institutions shall as
much as possible attend the meetings of the Board. In their absence they must
designate a permanent representative with a rank not lower than an
undersecretary or its equivalent who may attend and participate at meetings of
the Board. The Board shall meet once a month or as ofien as necessary,

ECCD Secretariat - There shall be established an ECCD Secretariat headed
by an Executive Director who shall be appointed by the President upon
recommendation of the Board. He/she shall have the rank, privileges, and
emoluments of a Career Executive Service Officer I. There shall be created
two (2) permanent positions of Deputy Executive Director to be appointed by
the Board, one of whom shall be concemed with ECCD programs and
activities and the other with general administrative services of the ECCD
Council. The Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Directors shall be
assisted by senior technical staff to be seconded from the DepEd, DSWD,
DOH, NNC and ULAP who shall serve for a period of at least two (2) years,
subject to renewal and shall be entitled to whatever additional remuneration
the law allows for such secondment.

Functions --- The ECCD Council shall implement the National Early
Childhood Care and Development System and perform the following
functions:

1) Promulgate policies and implementing guidelines for ECCD programs
in consultation with stakeholders at various levels, including the
regional level when appropriate, consistent with the national policy
and program frameworks;

2) Establish ECCD program standards that reflect developmentally
appropriate and culturally relevant practices for ECCD programs,
which shall interface with the primary school curriculum of the
DepEd:


3) Develop a national system for the recruitment, registration, continuing
education and equivalency, and credential system of ECCD service
providers, supervisors and administrators to improve and
professionalize the ECCD sector and upgrade quality standards of
public and private ECCD programs;

4

Develop and implement a system of awards and recognition to
deserving ECCD program implementers and service providers:

2

Promote, encourage and coordinate the conduct of ECCD programs in
national government agencies and monitor the delivery of services to
the ECCD program beneficiaries;

6)

Evaluate and assess the impact and outcome of various ECCD
programs nationwide through an effective information system;

7

Develop and establish a national system for early identification,
screening, surveillance of early childhood disabilities. developmental
problems, and giftedness;

8

Develop and implement various support mechanisms that maximize
the public and private resources for implementing ECCD programs,
giving priority to the needy and high-risk children from poor
communities;

9

Provide counterpart funds to poor and disadvantaged communities for
the establishment and expansion of public ECCD programs,
improvement of physical facilities and for hiring of ECCD provid

10) Promote and encourage private sector initiatives for the establishment
of ECCD programs;

11) Provide guidelines for ECCD Coordinating Committees at the
provincial, city/municipal and barangay levels for the conduct of
solicitations and requests for assistance from local and international
civic organizations, private philanthropic foundations to supplement
available resources.

SEC. 9. Reconstituting the ECCD Coordinating Committees. ~ The ECCD coordinating
committees established at the provincial, city/municipal and barangay levels shall be
reconstituted and perform the following functions:

a) The Provincial ECCD Coordinating Committee shall be composed of the
provincial governor as chairperson and members representing the DepEd,
DSWD, DOH, NNC and ULAP. The Provincial ECCD Coordinating
Committee shall be under the Provincial Development Council and shall
perform functions similar to the ECCD Council as appropriate including other
functions that may be provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of
this Act. There shall be organized a secretariat to coordinate and monitor the
effective implementation of ECCD programs in the province. It shall be
headed by a provincial ECCD Officer. who shall be appointed by the
Governor, upon the recommendation of the Provincial ECCD Coordinating
Committee. He/she shall have a rank, privilege and emolument of a
Department Head. Such sums as may be necessary for the salaries,
allowances and other benefits of the Provincial ECCD Officer shall be
provided by the province.


b) The City/Municipal ECCD Coordinating Committees shall be composed of
the city/municipal mayor as chairperson and members representing the
DepEd, DSWD, DOH, NNC and ULAP. The city/municipal ECCD
Coordinating Committee shall be under the city/municipal development
council and shall perform functions similar to the ECCD Council as
appropriate including other functions that may be provided in the
Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act. There shall be organized a
secretariat to coordinate and monitor the effective implementation of ECCD
programs in the city/municipality. It shall be headed by the city/municipal
ECCD officer, who shall be appointed by the city/municipal mayor, upon
recommendation of the City/Municipal ECCD Coordinating Committee.

c

‘The Barangay ECCD Coordinating Committees shall be composed of the
Barangay Captain as chairperson and members representing the DepEd,
DSWD, DOH, NNC and ULAP. The barangay ECCD Coordinating
Committee shall be under the barangay development council and shall be
responsible for the proper and effective implementation of public ECCD
programs and maintenance of database system at the barangay level. ‘There
shall be organized a secretariat to coordinate and monitor the effective
implementation of ECCD programs in the barangay. It shall be headed by a
Barangay Councilor, who shall be appointed by the Barangay Captain, upon
recommendation of the Barangay ECCD Coordinating Committee.

SEC. 10. Financing ECCD Programs. — ECCD programs shall b ¢ financed through a
combination of public and private funds. All public ECCD providers shall prioritize children
from conception (0) to six (6) years from families who are in greatest need and who can least
afford private sector ECCD programs.

a) Public support for ECCD programs. ~ The government shall support public
ECCD programs through cost-sharing arrangements that shall involve the
LGUs, and counterpart funds from the national government agencies for
technical assistance and support. Additional funds may be generated from
intergovernmental donors and financial institutions by the appropriate
government agencies through the NEDA to support the public programs in all
municipalities including the urban poor. Funds shall be accessible to qualified
LGUs through the Municipal Development Fund or other financing
mechanisms as prescribed by the Department of Budget and Management
(DBM). The ECCD Council may establish a trust fund to assist LGUs in the
expansion and upgrading of ECCD programs.

‘There shall be established a fund for an ECCD Program Contracting Scheme
with accredited private providers at the community levels.

Primary health care programs, pre-natal and post-natal care, growth
monitoring and promotion, and supplementary nutrition programs. shall
continue to be funded through the LGUs with technical support and additional
resources from the DOH.

The DSWD shall provide technical assistance for the Day Care Program,
Parent Effectiveness Service, Child-Minding Centers, Family Day Care and
Parent-Child Development Programs that shall continue to be supported by
the LGUs in the form of construction of basic infrastructure, provision of
facilities, materials and equipment, compensation for service providers.

The kindergarten program in public and private schools and in day care
centers shall continue to be supported by the DepEd in cooperation with the
PTAs, where applicable, by providing teacher training, supplementary


leaming materials and reference materials including for the early education
component of the ECCD programs.

‘The DepEd. DSWD, DOH, NNC and ULAP shall support the implementation
of the National ECCD Program and shall include in their respective annual
general appropriations beginning the fiscal year following the approval of this
‘Act, the necessary funding to achieve the goal of universal coverage for all
children from conception (0) to six (6) years within a five-year period and
sustain the Program from thereon. The work and financial plans of the
DepEd, DSWD, DOH, NNC and ULAP shall be coordinated with the ECCD
Council.

b)

Support for ECCD Programs. ~ Support for ECCD programs can be solicited
from local and international civic organizations, and private philanthropic
foundations to supplement available resources.

Workplace-based or related ECCD programs shall be supported by
corporations and employees in the form of physical facilities and recurrent
operating costs. The operating costs incurred for employer or corporate~
sponsored ECCD programs can be deducted from taxable income and/or avail
of the tax benefits under the “Adopt-A-School” Law; provided that the
employer or corporation will not charge user fees.

c

Costs to be shouldered by Families. ~ The Council shall monitor user fees and
contributions allowed for both public and private programs to ensure that
these are affordable and within reasonable limits.

User fees for public programs should be limited to monthly contributions
intended to subsidize recurrent costs. Parents are encouraged to contribute
their time and services especially in cases where they are unable to afford the
regular contributions.

SEC. 11, Appropriations. ~ For the implementation of this Act the amount of Five
Hundred Million Pesos (PhpS00,000,000.00) per year for five (5) years is hereby appropriated
for the National ECCD Program of the ECCD Council effective upon approval of this Act that
shall be utilized to support the goal of achieving universal ECCD coverage for all children from
conception (0) to six (6) years. Said amount shall be funded from the gross income of the
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and shall be directly remitted in four (4)
quarterly installments to a special account of the ECCD Council. Thereafier, such sums as may
be necessary for the operations of the Council shall be included in the General Appropriations
Act.

An initial annual appropriation in the amount of One Hundred Million Pesos
(Php100,000,000.00) shall be provided to support the operations of the ECCD Council upon
approval of this Act.

Expenses for ECCD programs and technical support packages provided by the DepEd,
DSWD, DOH and NNC shall be specified as separate line items in their respective annual
budgets in the General Appropriations Act. Their annual ECCD workplans shall be the basis for
these budgets and shall be released directly to their regional or provincial offices whenever
applicable.

SEC. 12. Annual Report. — The Council shall, at the close of each calendar year, submit
an annual report to Congress, giving a detailed account of its proceedings and accomplishments
during the year and making recommendations for the adoption of measures that will improve the
National ECCD System and ensure achievements of universal ECCD coverage for all children
from conception (0) to six (6) years within a five-year period.


SEC. 13. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional
the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of other provisions thereof.

SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. — Pertinent provisions of all laws, decrees, executive orders,
presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof contrary or inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Council in consultation with
appropriate government agencies and nongovemmment organizations shall formulate and issue the
necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days after
the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 16. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation:

Approved,


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Fifteenth Congress
1* Regular Session

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND CULTURE
HELD ON 07 JUNE 2011, 9:30 A.M. CONFERENCE ROOM NOS. 14 & 15, RAMON V.
MITRA, JR. BLDG., HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, QUEZON CITY

1 CALL TO ORDER

The Presiding Officer, Rep. Mariano U. Piamonte, Jr., called the meeting to order
at 9:47 a.m.

Tl = ROLL CALL

On motion, duly seconded, the Presiding Officer dispensed with the calling of
the roll.

TIL. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

On motion, duly seconded, the Presiding Officer declared as approved the
minutes of the meeting held on 31 May 2011, as presented.

IV. _ INITIAL CONSIDERATION ON THE FOLLOWING MEASURES:

A. HOUSE BILL NO, 4358— AN ACT PROMOTING RURAL FARM SCHOOL AS

AN ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY MODE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION by Rep.
Sharon S, Garin

Sponsorship Speech of the Author

Rep. Garin explained that a rural farm school or family farm school
provides four year high school in a nipa hut or building where the children
get their homework and then bring it home, like kumon style of learning.
They leam the basics in Science, English and Mathematics from tutors from
the church or the community. Another type is where they study in school
for three days and work at home for two days, with visits from their tutors
to check on their homework and their work in the farm.

The Family Farm Schools address the multi-pronged problems of lack
of money and time and the need to help their parents in the farm.
Currently, there are 13 or 14 farm schools in the country. These are
sustained by volunteers with contributions from the Church and community.
Most have 40 students per class and have been in existence for four years.

Rep. Garin emphasized that the essence of HB 4358 is to
institutionalize the Family Farm Schools.


Most of the Family Farm Schools, she added, are not accredited by the
Department of Education (DepEd). She proposed that the graduates of
these schools be allowed to take qualifying examinations for tertiary
education,

Rep, Garin cited that the Family Farm School in Aurora, by Senator
Edgardo J. Angara and Representative Juan Edgardo M, Angara, is the most
successful, having buildings and a vehicle and already basically supported
by DepEd.

‘The other Family Farm Schools is in Dagatan, Lipa City with 20
graduates, 15 of whom proceeded to tertiary education. The rest of the
students, due to financial problems, did not continue their education.

Some of these schools started in 2002, some in 2007, and eventually
closed. The one in Jala-Jala, Rizal closed in 2002.
Existing Family Farm Schools are in Lipa City; Balete, Batangas; Iloilo, Bais
City; Roxas, Oriental Mindoro; Cabatagan, Lanao del Norte (by the

Dimaporo Family); Capoocan, Leyte; Pinamungahan, Cebu and Calabanga,
Camarines Sur.

Issues / Arguments / Positions Presented

= DepEd Undersecretary for Programs and Projects, Dr. Quijano,
admitted not having visited any farm school but saw the need for
DepEd to discuss with representatives of the Department of Agriculture
(DA), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), with Mr. Gayo, the
President of the Philippine Federation of Family Farm Schools (PFFFS)
and with the author. She suggested looking into several criteria like
site, skills of the tutors, types of resources and kinds of produce of the
farm school. DepEd, she informed, is presently considering as a model
the dynamic learning system of the Bernidos (low cost and effective
basic education under conditions of great scarcity and daunting
poverty).

* The President of PFFFS, Mr. Jose Rene C. Gayo, related some historical
notes. Family farm schools started in France in 1936. Now, there are
more than 2,500 of this school worldwide. The first in Asia was
established in 1988 in Barrio Dagatan, Lipa City.

He also informed that DepEd does not have any agricultural schoots per
se because, with the split up of the three bodies—Technica! Education
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), DepEd and the Commission
on Higher Education (CHED), Deped imposed one comprehensive high
school curriculum. The agriculture course became one of the subjects
under the Health Education and Livelihood Education (HELE) program.
Pres. Gayo suggested also to include in the TWG TESDA which has 27
agricultural and fisheries school which could be reoriented towards
family farm schools.

The chailenge is for the government to support these family farm
schools from basic to college ‘evel to enhance the country’s

8


competitiveness In the agriculture sector. The existing farm school with
a college level program is the one sponsored by the Meralco
Foundation, Inc. (MFI). The farm school system also attempts to open
the minds of the youth about the management and enterpreneurial side
of agriculture. He relates of the experience of Thais and Taiwanese
who made a business out of agriculture after their studies in Philippine
farm schools.

DA, through Undersecretary Segfredo R. Serrano, supported HB 4358
which will revitalize the ‘geriatric peasantry’ while preparing the
younger generation of farmers. He cited DA’s 4-H Clubs and the
Future Farmers of the Philippines and Future Agricultural Homemakers
of the Philippines programs in agricultural schools for which support has
already declined. These have suffered from the massive conversion
into Science high schools.

For DAR, Undersecretary Genrundio C. Madueno expressed full support
with reasons similar to those of DA. The sons and daughters of the
farmers have to be encouraged to stay and manage their farms as a
business, One of the good examples of a farm school is in Bombon,
Camarines Norte where they offer out-of-school youths and indigenous
people (IP) scholarships to Hawaii. The second one is the farm school
by MFI presented previously by Mr. Gayo. DAR also has about 2,000
agrarian reform communities (ARC), composed of a minimum of 300
hectares and with cooperatives, which can be very good possible farm-
school sites. Usec. Maduefio had suggested to Sec. Luistro in their
previous meeting for farming to be introduced in K Plus 12. DAR also
suggested to TESDA to offer a farming curriculum.

Rep. Almario related that in Mati, Davao de! Sur nobody responded to
15 scholarship trainings to Don Bosco which she personally sponsored.
In a survey she conducted, parents don‘t want to spend so much for
their children’s education if they just have to go back to the farm, She
inquired how these farm schools differ from existing agricultural
vocational schools and how the youth wil! be interested in these
schools, instead of going into Information Technology (IT). She also
informed Usec. Quijano that the actual interest of teachers and
principals in registering to become agricultural schools is the P1,200.00
subsidy as against P 611.00 per student, plus P500,000.00 per year.

The Chair suggested closing these agricuttural schools and instead
giving the money to the alternative farm schools.

Rep. Ortega inquired if the existing rural high schools are duplicating
the purpose of the family farm schools.

Rep, Sarmiento suggested the inclusion of Commission on Information
and Communication Technology (CICT) in line with long distance
learning using wi-fi technology. Another important point, he suggested
for the TWG to discus, is the reality that the older farmers are not as
open-minded to technology as the retired ones.



« Usec. Quijano clarified that under DepEd’s 280 Technical-Vocationa!
Schools, the four specializations are agriculture, trade, industrial arts
and computer education. There is also a. task force on technical-
ane ations education which gets experts from TESDA. For the last 24
years, this task force formulated implementation policies, developed
curriculum, located existing secondary high schools. Formerly
technical-vocational schools were revived and called Special Technical-
Vocational Schools. Presently there are 282 of these, allocated greater
Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) for the purchase of
equipment and materials and for training of teachers.

= Rep. Padilla inquired about the status of Casibu National Agricultural
School in Nueva Vizcaya. He was sure it is under DepEd and an
agricultural school.

+ Rep. Pichay relates having 2 agricultural high schools and 1 college 'n
the university in the heart of Surigao del Sur with only one graduate in
2010 Inspite of the availability ‘of a dormitory and his offer of 100%
scholarship. He was surprised with the quantity of students in the
family farm schools. He hoped the TWG could find ways for the 600
hectares in his district which Is waiting to be developed.

Agreements Reached

A technical working group will be convened to be composed of
Rep.Sharon S. Garin, representatives from DepED, DA, DAR, cICT,
TESDA and PFFFS. :

DepEd will look into the similarity and difference of rural,
agricultural and farm schools and the system of establishment,
Sfilliation and recognition of farm schools as an alternative delivery of
secondary education.

B. HOUSE BILL NO. 4288 — AN ACT CREATING IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION THE PLANTILLA POSITION OF GUIDANCE COUNSELOR IN

EVERY PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIVISION AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR by Rep. Victor F. Ortega

Sponsorship Speech of the Author

The author presented that HB 4288 simply calls for the creation in the
Department of Education the plantilla position of a guidance counsetor in
every public elementary school division. Presently, the teacher-in- charge
acts as guidance counselor although she has no background for it. This bill
which provides about 200 plantilla positions for qualified guidance counselors

will be a big step to help the problem children and decrease the quantity of
dropouts.

Issues / Arguments / Positions Presented

Rep. Piamonte was very supportive of HB 4288 and even suggested
expanding the coverage to the secondary level.


+ Rep Ortega clarified to Rep. Castro that the guidance counselor would
be required to have a degree in Psychology because it will be a plantilla
position.

* Rep. Espina registered his full support for the bill. He related that in
Biliran, because of the lack of guidance counselors, they instead
established youth centers inside the schools.

«According to Usec. Quijano, at the division level, DepEd has no item for
a guidance counselor thus this bill is a good move. If DepEd would
have an item in the district or municipality, the salary should be as a
Principal because that guidance counselor should take care of both
elementary and secondary schools within the district. Presently, the
problem is the lack of Psychology graduates. The guidance coordinators
in DepEd are not licensed. But, when this bill is passed, the teachers
could take masteral courses and take the exam.

= Rep. Teodoro sought clarification if the creation of the plantilla position
will be done on a per district or on a per town basis. In his city, there
are two existing school districts.

= Usec. Quijano explained that in big towns there are 2 districts because
usually a district will be composed of more than 30 schools.

+ Rep. Piamonte proposed the amendment to create 2 plantilla position
for both the division level and the district level. He also moved that all
Members present be included as co-authors of House Bill 4288.

Agreements Reached

The bill will be modified to provide for a guidance counselor in every
division ievel and district level.

House Bill No. 4288 was approved and will include all the Members
present as co-authors of the bill, namely: Representatives M. Plamonte, J.
Ejercito, S. Garin, E. Gullas, P. Pichay, A. Golez, J. Treas, G. Amaiz, M.
Villar, T. Almario, D. Ramos, P. Javier, L. Villarica, R. Ocampo, 3. Castro,
A. Tinio, R. Mercado, M. Agyao, M. Dalog, E. Olivarez, R. Espina, F.

Flores Jr., P, Teves, R. Palatino, M. Sarmiento, M. Lagdameo, E.
Aumentado, and L. Revilla.

The number of school districts and school divisions will be equated to
the number of guidance counselor plantilla items.

A salary grade equivalent to a Principal item will be given to the
guidance counselor items.

HOUSE BILL NO. 3507 - AN ACT RECOGNIZING THE EARLY YEARS
FROM 0-6 YEARS OLD AS THE FIRST CYCLE OF EDUCATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT AND FOR THIS PURPOSE AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO.
8990, STRENGTHENING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT


COUNCIL, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES by. Rep. Escudero, Angara and
Almario

Sponsorship Speech of the Author

The Chairperson presented that Senate asked the House to adopt their
version of this Bill. The House will insist on Sections 7 and 9 which
disappeared in thelr version.

The House version carries the provisions on numbers 1 and 2, sub-
provision of Section 7, which pertain to the DepEd responsibilities on the
implementation arrangements and operational structure; and on Section 9,
on reconstituting the ECCD coordinating committees.

The House will adopt the Appropriations portion of the Senate in the
Bicameral Meeting.

Issues / Arguments / Positions Presented

* DepEd, through Usec. Quijano, endorsed HB 3507 because it identified
the clear delineation of who should take charge of children from 0-4
years old and that the 5 years old will be by DepEd. This is the first bill
that considers the local government units, the real implementing
agency for day care centers.

* Mr. Norberto Patalinhug expressed OSWD’s support. They
recommended the following: that Early Childhood Care and
Development (ECCD) Council be made an attached agency of DSWD
with the Secretary as the Chairperson in line with the Department's
mandate to develop programs and services for the 0-6 year old
children; that day care services, which accounts for 30% of 3-4 year
old, and the family development sessions be made as home-based
interventions; that day care centers be used to accommodate
kindergarten, without displacing the day care centers; that DILG be
included as member of the ECCD governing board; and that the
position of Deputy Executive Director be created to handle both the
ECCD programs and activities as well as general administrative
services of the ECCD Council.

* With Executive Director Teresita G. Inciong, the ECCD Council
expressed strong support for HB 3507 because the 0-6 years old is
now considered as the foundation cycle as espoused by the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
National Commission of the Philippines. Thus the child is not
considered a welfare issue but a learning person. In putting the 0-6
years old in an agency separate from DSWD, the child becomes a focus
Instead of subsumed In a very large group. 0-6 years old is also the
time for brain development, to be well prepared for kindergarten. This
decreases drop-out rate and ensures physical, emotional and_social
preparedness. In the bill, the Council is composed of DepEd, DSWD,
National Nutrition Council (NNC) and the Union of Local Authority of
the Philippines (ULAP). She explained the inclusion of ULAP because
day care centers are under the local government. The Mayors‘ or


Barangay Chairs’ focus on the children might finally address the
missing gap in the preparation of the child.

« Mr. Jaime Tristan O. Flores, Jr. stated the opposition of the Council for
the Welfare of Children (CWC) to the bill, Separating the agencies
from the original National ECCD Coordinating Council (NECCDCC), for
CWC, will not give much attention to the children. This bili will also
contradict the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child’s
concluding observation that the authority of CWC as the government
main coordinating body for children should be strengthened.

«Rep. Piamonte motioned that all Members present be included as co-
authors of HB 3507.

Agreements Reached

The Committee approved House Bill 3507 and will submit to the version
that was approved by the counterpart Committee in the Senate on Early
Years Act including their Appropriations provision with the condition that
Sections 7 and 9 of the House versions are retained, These will be
discussed in the Bicameral Conference when convened.

All Members present will be included as co-authors of the bill name!
Representatives M. Piamonte, J. Ejercito, S. Garin, E. Gulias, P. Pichay, A.
Golez, J. Trefas, G. Arnaiz, M. Villar, T. Almario, D. Ramos, P. Javier, L.
Villarica, R. Ocampo, J. Castro, A. Tinio, R. Mercado, M. Agyao, M. Dalog,
E. Olivarez, R. Espina, F. Flores 3r., P. Teves, R. Palatino, M. Sarmiento,
M. Lagdameo, E. Aumentado, and L. Revilla.

DELIBERATION OF LOCAL BILLS

Before the approval of the local bills, the Presiding Officer requested for the
comments of DepEd.

Undersecretary for Programs and Projects Yolanda S. Quijano expressed
DepEd’s support for the local bills, if they have met the Dep£¢’s requirements.
Regarding the conversion of Siquijor Provincial Nationa! Science High School,
Usec. Quijano clarified that regional science high schools are under DepEd and
science high schools are under the Department of Science and Technology
(00ST). In the list for approval, she noted, Pasong Tamo National High School
and San Juan Science High School are under DepEd’s jurisdiction. The author,
Rep. Fua, thus proposed to delete the word ‘Science’ if DepEd would accept
Siquijor Provincial National High School as a national high school. Usec.
Quijano kad no objections to this,

A. ON ESTABLISHMENT

3. HB No. S41 - SOUTH POBLACION NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Gullas
2. HB No. 1364 - CEPASE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Cerilles
3. HB No. 2065 - CAMANST NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Ungab
| HB No. 2351 - LLAMERA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL by Rep. Ecleo
5. HB No. 2486 - PANDANON NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Aumentado
&. HB No. 2493 - PANLAITAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Alvarez
7. HB No. 2746 - DONA NATIVIDAD L. MACIAS MEMORIAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL,
by Rep. Labadlabad



8. HB No. 2954 - INDUSTRIAL VALLEY COMPLEX NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL, by Rep. Teodoro
9, HB No. 3132 - CREATING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY HINAPU, MAASIN
CITY, SOUTHERN LEYTE, by Rep. Mercado
410. HB No. 3137 - PASONG TAMO NATIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Castelo
412, HB No. 4351- ILINAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Salimbangon
12. HB No. 4601 - SAN JUAN SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Ejercito

B. ON CONVERSION/SEPARATION

1. HB No. 2638 - SUM-AG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FOR SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS,
by Rep. Golez A.
2, HB No, 3316 - EXPANSION OF THE LAPASAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN CAGAYAN DE
ORG CITY, by Rep, Rodriguez
3. HB No, 3385 - SIQUIOR PROVINCIAL NATIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Fua
4, HB No. 3481 - RAJA MUDA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Sacdalan
5, HB No, 3565 - STA. ELENA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Belmonte V,
6. HB No. 3575 - POBLACION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, by Rep. Biazon
7. HB No, 3612 - SAPANG BATO NATIONAL TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL AND SKILLS TRAINING
HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Lazatin
8. HB No. 3684 - BAUNGON NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL - DANATAG ANNEX, by Rep. Paras
9. HB No, 3735 - LA HUERTA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep, Olivarez
10. HB No. 3792 - TIONG HEN SO MEMORIAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Ramos
11. HB No. 3870 - VICTOR BERNAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Fortuno
12. H@ No. 3941 - GABI NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Tupaz
13. HB No. 4009 - CATUMBALON NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Flores
14, HB No. 4018 - PANTUYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Dayanghirang
15, HB No. 4227 - NEW SIBONGA HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Amatong
16, HB No. 4228 - LAAK NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Amatong
17. HB No. 4229 - TAMBONGON NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL , by Rep. Amatong
18. HB No, 4392 - CABASALAN VOCATIONAL. TECHNICAL SCHOOL, by Rep. R. Jalosjos
19, HB No. 4664 - STA. MONICA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Socrates
20. HB No. 3788 - PASTL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, by Rep. Agyao

‘On omnibus motion, duly seconded, the Committee approved the following local bills subject
to the standard format adopted by the Committee for uniformity of style and content.

VI, ADJOURNMENT

On motion, duly seconded, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 11:21 a.m.

T hereby certify to the correctness of the foregoing minutes.

eahin betta
NORA E! AR. UNAWA_

Supervising Legislative Staff Officer If

Noted by: .

MA. JOSEF| {OQUE - RICAFORT
Legislative qo Secretary
Approved by:

ORIGINAL SIGWEL

HON. SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO III
Committee Chairperson