NINETEENTH CONGRESS                  )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES    )
First Regular session                           )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
:AETEF.RE"a
T"E;L3iqu    L&
BY:-
Introduced b
resentative Rufus a. Rodri
House Bill No.  5358
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The first three (3) years of a child is so-called the formative years because this stage
is  critical  to  his  brain  development.    Hence,  utmost  importance  should  be  given  in  training
and molding the child during these years.
This  proposed  measure seeks to establish  early learning  programs for indigent pre-
kindergarten   children   in   order   to   provide   them   with   high-quality,   child-centered   and
developmentally appropriate educational programs.
With   the   support   of   the   government,   our   indigent   children   will   be   given   the
opportunity to  hone  their  knowledge  and  skills  which  will  allow them  to  be  competent  and
successful  in  their future endeavors.    Indeed,  this  is  an  important  investment of our nation
because ultimately, these children will be the leaders of our country.
Immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS                  )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES    )
First Regular session                            )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Introduced by Representative Rufus a. Rodriguez
HouseBillNo.    5356
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS FOR INDIGENT PRE-KINDERGARTEN
CHILDREN
Be it ep?ct.ed  by the Senate and  House of Representatives of the  Philippines in Congress
assembled:
Acf,.
SECTION 1.   Shah 77.I/e. -This Act shall be known as the "Earty [eami.ng Program
SEC 2.  Purposes. -The purposes of this Act are:
(1)   to   make   widely   available   to   pre-kindergarten   children   a   high   quality,   child-
centered, and developmentally-appropriate early learning program;
(2)   to  make widely available to  parents  of pre-kindergarten  children who desire the
services, a program in which they can enroll their pre-kindergarten children: and
(3)   to provide resources to ensure that all children enter elementary school ready to
learn how to read and write.
SEC 3.  Definitions. -
(1)   Early  Learning  Programs -refer to  programs  that  provide  services for children
who  have  not attended  kindergarten or elementary school.   Such  programs are
designed  to  provide  indigent  pre-kindergarten  children  with  a  high-quality,  child-
centered, and developmentally-appropriate learning program and with resources
to  ensure  that all  children  enter elementary school  ready to  learn  how to  read
and write;
(2)   Parent  -  refers  to  a  biological  parent,  an  adoptive  parent,  a  stepparent,  or  a
foster  parent  of a  child,  including  a  legal  guardian  or other  person  standing  in
loco parentis;
(3)  Secretary -refers to the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd).
SEC 4.    Earty team/.ng Program.  - The Secretary shall  establish  and  maintain  an
early  learning  program  that  provides  learning  services  in  every  city  or  municipality.    The
program shall:
(a)   be developed  pursuant to guidance provided  by the educational authorities,  and
experts in early childhood development; and
(b)   be designed to improve child development through:
(i)          improved   access   to   and   increased   coordination   with   health   care
services;
(ii)         increased access to enhanced early learning environments;


(iii)         increased parental involvement.
The  program  shall  be designed to service  pre-kindergarten  children,  including  those
with  special  needs,  who  shall  receive  enhanced  educational  and  comprehensive  services
and support, through parent involvement and education.
SEC   5.      Assessment.   -   The   Secretary   shall   conduct   an   evaluation   of   the
effectiveness of the early childhood programs established and conduct needs and resources
assessment, and use such an assessment to:
(i)          determine where early learning programs are lacking or are inadequate within
a  given  city or  municipality,  with  particular attention  to  poor  urban  and  rural
areas, and what special services are needed; and,
(ii)         specify which programs might be expanded or upgraded with the use of funds
received under this Act.
SEC 6.  Approprr.afi.on. -The amount necessary to effectively carry out the provisions
of this Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury.
SEC  7.     Separabi./i.fy  C/ause.  -  lf  any  provision  or  part  hereof,  is  held  invalid  or
unconstitutional,  the  remainder  of  the  law  or  the  provision  not  otherwise  affected  shall
remain valid and subsisting.
SEC  8.    Repea//.ng  C/ause.  - Any  law,  presidential  decree  or  issuance,  executive
order,  letter of instruction,  administrative order,  rule or regulation  contrary to or inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly
SEC 9.   Effect/.vi.fy. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved'