MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has approved on its third and final reading a bill aimed at enhancing the quality and accessibility of early childhood care and development (ECCD) services across the country.  

Senate Bill No. 2575, also known as the Early Childhood Care and Development Act, seeks to expand the National ECCD System to cover all provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays.

The system provides a comprehensive range of health, nutrition, early childhood education, and social services to address the holistic needs of children below five years old and support their optimal growth and development.  

Senator Win Gatchalian, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education and sponsor and co-author of the measure, emphasized the importance of the bill in laying a strong foundation for children’s education and well-being.  

“Mahalagang reporma ang pagpapatatag sa ECCD dahil dito nakasalalay ang pagkakaroon ng matatag na pundasyon ng ating mga kabataan. Kailangang maabot natin ang bawat batang wala pang limang taon, tugunan ang kanilang mga pangangailangang pangkalusugan, at tiyakin ang kanilang kahandaang pumasok sa ating sistema ng edukasyon,” Gatchalian said Tuesday.  

The proposed measure requires every city and municipality to establish an ECCD Office under the administrative supervision of the mayor. These offices will oversee the implementation of ECCD programs, including the supervision of child development teachers (CDTs) and child development workers (CDWs).  

The bill also seeks to professionalize CDTs and enhance the skills of incumbent CDWs. Under the measure, CDWs will undergo mandatory reskilling and upskilling programs on ECCD or early childhood education.

These programs, along with certification assessments, will be provided free of charge by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. The ECCD Council will manage the implementation of the training programs, the propose measure said.

The measure strengthens the ECCD Council by attaching it to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The Secretaries of Education and the DILG will serve as Co-Chairpersons of the ECCD Council’s Governing Board, with the Council’s Executive Director acting as Vice-Chairperson.  

The bill “strengthens” State’s focus to ensure universal access to ECCD services and building a strong foundation for the development and learning of children below five years old, the lawmaker said.