Senate President Win Gatchalian is seeking the mobilization of local government units to ensure the delivery of early childhood care and development (ECCD) programs and services to children below five years old.
Gatchalian made this call during the Senate Committee on Finance’s hearing on the proposed 2027 budget of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and its attached agencies, including the ECCD Council.
The Senate leader pointed out that while the Early Childhood Care and Development System Act’s (Republic Act No. 12199) Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) was signed last August, LGUs are yet to receive instructions on how to operationalize the law on the ground. To implement the law, Gatchalian is seeking the issuance of a memorandum circular.
Under the law, LGUs are mandated to deliver ECCD programs and services. The law also provides that LGUs shall create ECCD offices, which shall be under the administrative supervision of local chief executives.
“Sa ngayon, ang ating participation rate ay nasa 33 percent. For 2027, the target is 40 percent. So, I support that, of course. That’s why it’s about time to mobilize the LGUs,” said Gatchalian.
Gatchalian: Mga LGU Pakilusin sa Paghahatid ng mga Programa, Serbisyo para sa ECCD
Isinusulong ni Senate President Win Gatchalian ang pagpapakilos sa mga local government unit (LGU) upang matiyak ang paghahatid ng early childhood care and development (ECCD) programs and services sa mga batang wala pang limang taong gulang.
Ipinanawagan ito ni Gatchalian sa pagdinig ng Senate Committee on Finance para sa panukalang 2027 budget ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) at mga kalakip nitong ahensya, kabilang ang ECCD Council.
Binigyang-diin ng senador na bagama’t nilagdaan noong Agosto ang Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) ng Early Childhood Care and Development System Act (Republic Act No. 12199), wala pang natatanggap na direksyon ang mga LGU kung paano ipatutupad ang batas sa kanilang mga nasasakupan. Upang maipatupad ang batas, hinimok ni Gatchalian ang DILG na maglabas ng isang memorandum circular.
Sa ilalim ng batas, mandato sa mga LGU ang paghahatid ng mga programa at serbisyong may kinalaman sa ECCD. Nakasaad din sa batas na dapat magtatag ang mga LGU ng ECCD offices na sasailalim sa administrative supervision ng local chief executives.
“Sa ngayon, nasa 33 percent ang ating participation rate. Sa 2027, 40 percent ang target natin. Sinusportahan ko ito, kaya naman panahon na upang pakilusin natin ang ating mga LGUs,” ani Gatchalian.
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Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OSP WIN GATCHALIAN
