The joint educational committee of the Congress has lauded President Marcos' signing of a landmark measure that commits to establish "nurturing environments" for children up to eight years old.
New law prioritizing early childhood care hailed
Published May 14, 2025 02:47 pm
PBEd urges 2025 candidates to prioritize education reforms amid a worsening learning crisis impacting millions of Filipino students. (ARNOLD QUIZOL / MANILA BULLETIN / FILE)
According to the Second Congressional Commission in Education (EDCOM 2), the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System Act "is a major step forward in fixing the foundations of our education system".
EDCOM 2 chairperson and Pasig lone district Rep. Roman Romulo said that a child's early years are critical.
Thus, by "prioritizing proper nutrition, quality early childhood care, and meaningful opportunities for play, we are giving every Filipino child the best start in life and shaping strong, capable future leaders of our nation", Romulo said.
Also, through such a measure, the government will mobilize the local government units (LGUs) in the delivery of ECCD programs and services, added EDCOM 2 co-chairperson Senator Win Gatchalian.
"This will strengthen our learners’ foundations, which is crucial in resolving the education crisis that hounds our country," Gatchalian said.
President Marcos on May 8 signed the Republic Act (RA) No. 12199, which has been the joint committee's priority measures since 2023.
ECCD establishes the state policy to safeguard and promote the right of every child to holistic well-being, growth, and dedicated care, recognizing age-appropriate stages of development.
It commits to creating nurturing environments for children aged zero to eight years old, as it acknowledges that it is the first crucial stage of educational development.
EDCOM 2's studies found that only 36 percent or 15,207 out of 42,027 barangays in the country have at least one Child Development Center (CDC) despite an existing law that mandates their creation.
In response, the new law places on LGUs' shoulders the primary responsibility for the implementation of ECCD.
This includes establishing ECCD offices in every province, city, and municipality; creating plantilla positions for at least one CDT and one CDW for every Child Development Center (CDC); recruiting and hiring personnel; and providing necessary facilities and resources.
The law also focuses on the professionalization and the salary increase of its workers, as well as ensuring the availability of training programs and develop scholarship programs, among other efforts.