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Gatchalian: Senate ratifies bicam report on Early Childhood Care and Development bill

Senator Win Gatchalian hailed the Senate ratification of the bicameral conference committee report on the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System Act (Senate Bill No. 2575 and House Bill No. 10142), a landmark reform that would strengthen the foundation of learners.

The ECCD System refers to the full range of health, nutrition, early childhood education, and social services development programs, which will provide for the basic holistic needs of children younger than five years old and promote their optimum growth and development. Under the measure, the ECCD System shall apply to all provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays to achieve universal ECCD access for all children below five years old. 

The proposed measure seeks to strengthen the ECCD Council to ensure the State’s focus on building a strong foundation for the development and learning of children below five years old. The Secretary of the Interior and Local Government shall serve as ex-officio Chairperson for Local Government Mobilization and Overall Implementation, while the Secretary of Education shall serve as ex officio Co-Chairperson for ECCD Curriculum and all matters related to early childhood education. The Executive Director of the ECCD Council Secretariat shall serve as ex-officio Vice-Chairperson.

“Sa pamamagitan ng panukalang batas na ating ipinasa, aabutin natin ang bawat batang wala pang limang taong gulang, at ihahatid natin sa kanila ang mga programa at serbisyong magpapatatag sa kanilang pundasyon bilang mga mag-aaral. Isang mahalagang reporma ito upang tugunan ang krisis sa edukasyon na hinaharap ng bansa,” said Gatchalian, co-author and sponsor of the measure.

Local government units shall be responsible for the implementation of the ECCD System, including programs and services in their respective jurisdictions. Provinces, cities, and municipalities shall be mandated to create an ECCD Office, which shall be under the administrative supervision of the local chief executive. The ECCD Office shall manage the delivery of programs and services under the ECCD system, including the supervision of Child Development Teachers (CDTs) and Child Development Workers (CDWs). 

The bill also seeks the professionalization of CDTs and the upskilling and reskilling of CDWs. Incumbent CDWs shall complete mandatory reskilling and upskilling training programs on ECCD or early childhood education. They shall undergo assessment and pass certification by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The assessment and certification shall be free of charge.

Photo by Mark Cayabyab/OS WIN GATCHALIAN