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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

15" CONGRE!
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 6197

Introduced by Representatives SALVDOR H. ESCUDERO III, JUAN EDGARDO M. ANGARA,
ROSENDA ANN OCAMPO and THELMA Z. ALMARIO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The highest drop out rates in our basic education system are due to the lack of support from
0 to 6 years old, cited by experts as the most critical years of learning. Experts suggest that 50
percent of a person’s ability to learn is developed at age 4, while learning pathways in the brain are
formed from 0 to 6 years. And yet, during this stage, our Filipino children are not reared and made
ready to enter Grade I. Instead, 1.2 million are in play centers not fit to prepare them for school
while 2.5 million children of school age are not enrolled.

Any efforts in improving the higher years of education is bound to fail if we do not build a
strong foundation for the development and leaning of our children.

While children of middle and upper class families enjoy at least | or 2 years of education before
entering primary school, the ordinary Filipino who could not afford to pay for pre-school begin schooling by
Grade 1 when they are not school ready. On the other hand, the better-off send their young to private pre-
schools.

The Early Years Act secks to remedy this flaw in our education system, making it a national
responsibility to equalize opportunities available to Filipino children be refocusing the 49,712 day care
centers in 47,000 barangays all over the country from a playroom to a learning center by rationalizing and
restructuring the day care into an early childhood education center.

In his veto message of Senate Bill 2802 or The Early Years Act, President Aquino cited efforts to
streamline bureaucracy, possible overlap in agency accountability, budgetary constraints, and fears of
displacement of barangay health workers under the new bill

Responding to these concerns, this amended bill contains the following changes:

1, Recognizing the Early Years as the foundation of the learning continuum, it places the ECCD
2 under the Department of Education as an attached agency, instead of the Office of the
ent or the Department of Social Welfare and Development.



2. On the possible overlap among agencies, the original arrangement provided by R.A. 8980 since
2000 with the DepEd, DSWD, DOH and NNC will remain similar under the new bill. Said
agencies will annually meet to -—prepare the ECCD’s work and financial plan to detail extent and
scope of participation.

3. As a state policy, the National Government will contribute P500 Million for every year for five
years t6 ensure achievement of universal coverage of ECCD benefits to all children from zero (0) to
age four (4), supported by Local Government Units (LGU) through their Special Education Funds.
In line with the budgetary constraints, the bill in fact proposes to make use of existing
infrastructures to save on government expense. Further, said amount is a small price to pay in
ensuring the readiness of the Filipino youth and lessening the drop out rates currently plaguing our
students and achieving universal coverage of children from zero (0) to six (6) years,

4, Further, there will be no displacement of existing daycare workers, but in fact a
professionalization of those currently employed through professional development programs in line
with the National ECCD System.

For the following reasons, the swift approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO IIT JUAN EDGARDO M. ANGARA

Representative Represehtative
1" District, Sorsogon Lone District, Aurora Province

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dur A 4 AMA

sentative Representative

District, Manila 2™ District, Davao Oriental


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS.
‘Second Regular Session

497
House piLNo,__ 949?

Introduced by Representatives SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO III, JUAN EDGARDO M.
ANGARA, ROSENDA ANN OCAMPO and THELMA Z. ALMARIO

AN ACT
RECOGNIZING THE EARLY YEARS FROM ZERO (0) TO AGE FOUR (4) AS THE
FIRST CRUCIAL — STAG! OF EDUCATIONAL — DEVELOPMENT,
STRENGTHENING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT
COUNCIL, AND RENAMING THE DAY CARE CENTER AS CHILD
DEVELOPMENT CENTER AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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 "Early Ye: YA) of

2012".

Act

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the 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 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; among service providers, families and communities, and among
the public and private sectors, nongovernment organizations; professional
associations, and academic institutions.

This System shall 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
four (4), educating parents and caregivers, encouraging the acti
parents and communities in ECCD programs, raising awareness about the important
efforts that improve the quality of life for young children and families.

involvement of



It shall also be the policy of the State to recognize the years from zero (0) to age four
(4) as the first crucial stage of educational development.

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-motor, socio-emotional, 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;

4) To ensure that young children are adequately prepared for the formal
learning system that begins at Kindergarten;

€) To establish an efficient system for early identification, prevention, referral
and intervention for the wide range of children with special needs from zero
(0) to age four (4);

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

g) To reinforce the role of parents and other caregivers as the primary
ers and educators of their children especially from zero (0) to age four

4);

h) 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

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 and facilities.

SEC. 4, Definitions. - For purposes of this Act:

a) Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System shall refer to the full
range of health, nutrition, early education and social services development programs
that provide for the basic holistic needs of young children from zero (0) to age four
(4), and to promote their optimum growth and development.


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‘These programs shall include:

1) Center-based programs, such as the day care service established under
Republic Act No. 6972, hereinafter referred to as the child development
service, community or church-based early childhood education programs
initiated by nongovernment 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

child care programs, parent education and home visiting programs.

b) ECCD Service Providers shall include the various professionals, paraprofessionals
and volunteer caregivers who are directly responsible for the care and education of
young children from zero (0) to age four (4) 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 teachers, 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 experienc
recommended learning materials and appropriate assessment for children from zero
(0) to age four (4) that are implemented by service providers through center and
home-based programs. It shall consist of national program goals and guidelines.
instructional objectives, appropriate, individually
appropriate and culturally-relevant

and content outlines that are aj

) 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 th . These include public and
private parent education programs linked to center, home and media-based childcare
and education programs,

SEC. 5, System Framework and Components. ~ The ECCD System shall ensure that
the National ECCD Program is implemented in accordance with quality standards for
accreditation and for this purpose there shall be established a National ECCD
Monitoring & Evaluation Framework. The ECCD System shall include the following
‘components:

a) ECCD Curriculum, - Focuses on children’s total development and takes into
account age, individual and socio-cultural appropriateness. It shall promote the
delivery of complementary and integrative services for health, nutrition, early


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childhood education, sanitation and cultural activities. It shall use the child’s
first language as the medium of instruction.

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

¢) Human Resource Development Program. - Establishes mechanisms for the
systematic professionalization of ECCD service providers, through enrolment
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. - Focuses on a continuing process of planning,
implementation, supervision, financial management, monitoring, evaluation
and reporting to persons concerned. It shall encourage the active involvement
and build the capabilities of service providers, parents and local government
officials to sustain the program.

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 age four (4).

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

a) Responsibilities of the ECCD Council. - The ECCD Council shall be
responsible for establishing national standards, developing policies and
programs, ensuring compliance thereof, providing technical assistance and
support to the ECCD service providers in consultation with coordinating
committees at the provincial, city/municipal and barangay levels.

The ECCD Council, ‘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 meet in an annual workshop to
prepare work and financial plans incorporating the financial and technical
support of said entities as referred to under Section 12 hereof. It shall cons



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@ guidelines 10 ensure
ECCD System

olidate the following existing pro:
consistency in integrated service delivery

» implemen
ithin the Nationa!

b) Responsibility of the DepED. - The DepED shall recognize the National
ECCD Program as the foundation of the learning continuum and shall promote
it for all children from zero (0) to age four (4).

6) Responsibilities of the DSWD, DOH, and NNC, ~ The DSWD, DOH and
NNC shall provide continuing professional development program support,
supplementary learning materials, reference materials, supplemental nutrition
and health care services.

d) Responsibilities of Local Government Units. ~ Local government units
(LGUs) shall allocate not less than ten percent (10%) of their Special
Education Fund in addition to other focal funds for the following purposes:

1) Support the implementation of their ECCD Program;

2) Organize and support parent cooperatives to establish community-
based ECD programs;

3) Provide counterpart funds for the continuing professional
development of their ECCD public service providers; and

4) Provide the facilities for the conduct of their ECCD Program.

¢) Responsibilities of Families and Communities. - Families and communities
shall initiate establishment of various community-based projects such as but
not limited to health, nutrition, social development and carly childhood
‘education projects for the overall development of their children from zero (0)
to age four (4), with the active assistance and technical support of the DSWD.
and the LGU concerned.

SEC. 8. Strengthening the ECCD Council. - The ECCD Council 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 age four (4), 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, The Council shall be attached to the DepED.

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

a) ECCD Governing Board. - The ECCD Governing Board shall be composed of
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1) Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) as ex-oficio chairperson;

2) Director-General of the ECCD Council as vice chairperson;
3) Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD);

4) Secretary of the Department of Health (DOM):

5) Executive Director National Nutrition Council (NNC);
6) President of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP); and

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

The Board shall meet once a month or upon the call of the chairperson or three
members of the Board.

}) Council Secretariat, - There shall be established an ECCD Secretariat
headed by the Director-General who shall be its chief executive to be
appointed by the President. The Director-General shall have the rank,
privileges and emoluments of an Undersecretary

shall be assisted by two (2) permanent positions of
jeneral to be appointed by the Board, one of whom shall be
tivities and the other for general
D Council.

responsible for ECCD programs and

administrative and financial services of the Ei

SEC. 10. Functions of the ECCD Council. - Tae ECCD Council shall carry out the
objectives of the National Early
performing the following funct

dhood Care and Development System by

a) 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
Act;

b) Establish ECCD program standards that reflect developmentally appropriate
practices for ECCD programs, which shall interface with the kindergarten
curriculum of the DepEd;

¢) Develop a national system for the recruitment, registration, accreditation,
continuing education and equivaiency, and credential system of ECCD service

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providers, supervisors and administrators to improve and professionalize the
ECCD sector and upgrade quality standards of public and private ECCD
programs;

d) Develop a national system of awards and recognition to deserving ECCD
program implementers and service provide

e) Promote, encourage and coordinate the various ECCD programs of the
DepEd, the DSWD, the DOH and the NNC, and monitor the delivery of
services to the ECCD program beneficiaries nationwide;

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

g) Develop a national system for early identification, screening and
surveillance of young children from zero (0) to age four (4);

hh) Develop 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;

i) 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:
{j) Promote and encourage private sector
ECCD programs:

iatives for the establishment of

k) Provide guidelines for the conduct of solicitations from local and
intemational civic organizations, and requests and private foundations to
supplement available resources; and

1) Perform such other functions as the ECCD Council may deem necessary

Sec.11. Financing ECCD Programs - ECCD programs shall be financed through a
combination of public and private funds. All public ECCD program providers shall
prioritize children from zero (0) to age four (4) from families who are in greatest need
and who can least afford private ECCD programs.

a) The DepEd, DSWD, DOH, NNC and ULAP shall support the
implementation of the National ECCD System and shall include in their
respective annual general appropriation beginning the fiscal year following the
approval of this Act the necessary funding to achieve the goal of universal
coverage of ECCD programs to all children from zero (0) to age four (4) and
sustain the Program from thereon.


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b) Support for ECCD Programs - The government shall support public ECCD
programs that shall involve the LGUs, and 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.

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

©) Fees and Contributions - Fees and contributions collected for both public
and private ECCD programs shall be monitored by the ECCD Council to
ensure that these are affordable and within reasonable limits. Families are
encouraged to volunteer their time and services to suppor the ECCD
programs.

See. 12. Appropriations. - For the implementation of this Act the amount of Five
Hundred Million Pesos (Php 500,000,000.00) per year for five (5) years is hereby
appropriated for the National ECCD Program, effective upon approval of this Act.
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 instalments to
a special account of the ECCD Council.

Funds for the operations of the Council as an attached agency of the DepEd shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act.

nancial and technical support packages provided by the DepEd, DSWD, DOH and
NNC for ECCD Programs shall be specified as separate line items in their respective
annual budgets in the General Appropriations Act.

See. 13. Annual Report. - The ECCD 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, making recommendations for the adoption of
measures that will improve the National ECCD System and ensuring achievement of
universal coverage of ECCD benefits to all children ftom zero (0) to. age four (4)
within a period of five (5) years.

SEC. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Council, 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
thirty (30) days after the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No, 8980, otherwise known as "An Act
Promulgating A Comprehensive Policy And A National System For Early Childhood

10


Care And Development (ECCD), Providing Funds Therefore And For Other
Purposes" 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. 16. Separability Clause. - 1€ any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
provisions hereof.

SEC. 17. 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.

ib