TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
first Regular Session
25 JUL -2 P4 30
SENATE
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT 
SYSTEM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PERTINENT SECTIONS OF 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10410, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "EARLY YEARS ACT 
OF 2013", AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
It has been observed that children up to eight years of age spend an average 
of 15 minutes a day using mobile devices for entertainment purposes such as watch 
videos, play games, or even engage in social media1 and in 2019, it was found that 
around 10% of kids of kindergarten age in the country already have eye problems.2 
Excessive screen time use in young children has been associated with risks for 
developmental delays, attention problems, and poorer academic performance.3 It was 
also observed that children have become lazy and inactive, with their social skills 
rusting for being dependent on technology.4
A recent survey conducted by Character.org in partnership with Ipsos tackling 
the challenges faced by parents on raising good kids in the digital age revealed that a
1 Kids and modern technology. (2017, May 2). PhHstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/the- 
freeman/cebu-lifestyle/2017/05^3/1690384/kids-and-modern-technology
2 Yee, J. (2019, November 6). Eye experts advice to PH kids: Less time on gadgets, more outdoors | 
Inquirer News. INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1186238/eye-experts-advice-to-ph-kids- 
less-time-on-gadgets-more-outdoors
3 Dy, A. B. C., Dy, A. B. C., 8i Santos, S. K. (2023). Measuring effects of screen time on the 
development of children in the Philippines: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 2^1). 
https://doi.org/10.1186/sl2889-023-16188-4
4 Perez, A. (2024, November 20). Too much screen time may cause weight gain, slow brain 
development in children: experts | ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN. https://www.abs- 
cbn.com/news/2024/2/16/too-much-screen-time-may-cause-weight-gain-slow-brain-development-in- 
children-experts-1736


majority of parents said that, in general, children today don't treat others with respect, 
are dishonest, don't show gratitude, and are lazy.5 Another survey conducted by the 
National Education Association (NEA) revealed that during the 2022-2023 school year, 
instances of disruptive and, in some cases, violent behavior among students became 
increasingly prevalent. As a result, many educators identified student behavior as one 
of their primary concerns.6
Character education is significant in shaping persons with moral integrity who 
can support a peaceful and morally upright society in addition to academically 
proficient individuals.
Republic Act No. 10410, also known as the Early Years Act of 2013, 
acknowledges the period from zero (0) to eight (8) years as a critical phase in a child's 
educational development, thus, the effective implementation of the Good Manners 
and Right Conduct (GMRC) and Values Education Program (VEP) during the early 
childhood stage is essential to address the holistic needs of young children, thereby 
ensuring their optimum growth and development.
The inclusion of GMRC in the curriculum aims to equip Filipino children with 
robust moral and ethical principles necessary to guide their behavior and decision­
making in an increasingly technology-driven world, wherein a significant portion of 
human interaction now occurs in online environments. GMRC will foster responsible 
digital citizenship and moral resilience, enabling the youth to navigate the complexities 
and challenges of modern communication and technology with integrity and respect 
for others.
Socio-cultural and civic engagement activities help young children learn about 
their communities, develop social skills, and develop a sense of responsibility. To 
complement the GMRC and values education, and early childhood care and
5 Langreo, L. (2023, January 26). Majority of parents say kids are dishonest, disrespectful, and lazy. 
Education Week, https://www.edweek.org/leadership/majority-of-parents-say-kids-are-dishonest- 
disrespectful-and-lazy/2023/01
6 Long, C. (2024, August 6). Breaking the cycle of bad behavior. NEA Today. Retrieved from 
httDs://www.nea.ora/nea-todav/all-news-articles/breakina-cvcle-bad-behavior


development (ECCD) programs of the government, this measure seeks to promote the 
involvement of young children in socio-civic activities as a method of enforcing positive 
discipline towards shaping their moral and personal development to be adjusted to 
the State's national citizenhood goals.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
NHOOD PADILLA
Senator


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
SENATE
S. No. 19
25 JUL-2 P4 30
j iV;
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT 
SYSTEM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PERTINENT SECTIONS OF 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10410, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "EARLY YEARS ACT 
OF 2013", AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 10410, or the Early Years Act of 2013
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(EYA), 
is 
amended 
to 
read 
as 
follows:
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"Section 3. Objectives. - The National ECCD System shall pursue the following
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objectives:
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XXX
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(b) To enhance the physical-motor, socio-emotional, cognitive,
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language, psychological, VALUES, CHARACTER, 
AND spiritual
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development of young children;
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(c) TO FOSTER MORAL RESILIENCE TO ENABLE THE YOUTH TO
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NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES AND CHALLENGES OF MODERN
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TECHNOLOGY WITH INTEGRITY AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS;
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[(e)] (d) To facilitate a smooth transition from care, DISCIPLINE, and
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education provided at home to community or school-based setting and
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to kindergarten;


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[(^] (e) To ensure that young children are adequately prepared for the 
formal learning system that begins at kindergarten;
[^] (0 To establish an efficient system for early identification, 
prevention, referral and intervention for the wide range of children with 
special needs from age zero (0) to four (4) years;
[(^] (g) To upgrade and update the capabilities of service providers and 
their supervisors to comply with quality standards for various ECCD 
programs;
[(§)] (h) To reinforce the role of parents and other caregivers as the 
primary caregivers, DISCIPLINARIANS, AND educators of their 
children especially from age zero (0) to four (4) years;
[(♦^1 (>) 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;
[0] 0) 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,
[0] (k) To ensure that the education of persons, and in particular 
children, who are blind, deaf or deafblind, are conducted in the most 
appropriate languages, modes and means of communication for the 
individual, and in environments which maximize academic and social 
development; and
[(^^] (I) To employ teachers, including teachers with disabilities, who 
are qualified in sign language and/or braille, and to train professionals 
and staff who work at all levels of education."
Sec. 2. Section 4 of EYA, is amended to read as follows:
"Section 4. Definitions. - The following terms are defined as follows:


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(a) Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System shall refer to 
the full range of health, nutrition, early education AND DISCIPLINE, 
and social services development programs that provide for the basic 
holistic needs of young children from age zero (0) to four (4) years; and 
to promote their optimum growth, development, AND GOOD MORAL 
CHARACTER.
XXX
(c) 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 from age zero (0) to four (4) years 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] DEVELOPMENTALLY appropriate, and culturally 
relevant. ITS COMPONENTS SHALL AIM TO INSTILL A SENSE OF 
RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD THE COMMUNITY AND THE 
ENVIRONMENT WHILE FOSTERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF 
SKILLS, ATTITUDES, AND VALUES ESSENTIAL FOR PERSONAL 
GROWTH AND MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION IN AN EVOLVING 
AND PROGRESSIVE SOCIETY UNDER A REGIME OF POSITIVE 
DISCIPLINE THAT RESPECTS A CHILD'S DIGNITY.
XXX "
Sec. 3. Section 5 of EYA, is amended to read as follows:
"Section 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 and Evaluation 
Framework. The ECCD System shall include the following components:


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(a) ECCD Curriculum. - The curriculum shall focus on children's total 
development and take into account age, individual and socio-cultural 
appropriateness. It shall [promote] SUPPORT the [delivery] 
PROVISION of complementary and integrative services, INCLUDING 
THOSE RELATED TO [ferj health, nutrition, early childhood education, 
sanitation, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION and [cultural] 
DISCIPLINE, activities PROMOTING CULTURAL, MORAL, AND 
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. It shall use the child's first language as 
the medium of instruction;
xxx"
Sec. 4. Section 6 of EYA, is amended to read as follows:
"Section 6. Expanding the ECCD System. -The National ECCD System 
shall henceforth apply to all provinces, cities, municipalities and 
barangays as may be determined by the ECCD Council to achieve 
universal ECCD coverage for all children from age zero (0) to four (4) 
years.
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO 
ESTABLISH A PROVINCIAL EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND 
DEVELOPMENT OFFICE (PECCDO) TO ENSURE THE 
IMPLEMENTATION OF ECCD PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS OF 
THE PROVINCE."
Sec. 5. Section 11 of EYA, is amended to read as follows:
"Section 11. Appropriations. - The amount needed [for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current yearns
appropriations of the DepED, the DSWD, the BOH and the NNC for the
purpose. Thereafter, such sums os may be necessary] for the continued 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act (GAA).


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In addition, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation shall 
contribute an amount of [Five hundred million pesos (P500,000,000.00) 
] ONE BILLION PESOS (Pl/000,000,000.00) per year for 
ANOTHER five (5) years from its gross income to fund the 
establishment of National Child Development Centers and the conversion 
of existing Day Care Centers into Child Development Centers in various 
LGUs upon approval of this Act. Said amount shall be directly remitted 
in four (4) quarterly installments to a special account of the ECCD 
Council."
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Sec. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
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unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and
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subsisting.
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Sec. 7. Repeating Clause.— Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or
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inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
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accordingly.
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Sec. 8. Effectivity.— This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation
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in the Philippines.
Approved,