MANILA — The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) has hailed the significant budgetary support for early childhood education in the 2026 General Appropriations Act, marking a major step toward implementing the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System Act or Republic Act 12199.

“Part of our historic allocation to the education sector are investments in early childhood care and development, which will strengthen our learners’ foundations and help us resolve the education crisis hounding our country,” said EDCOM 2 Commissioner Senator Win Gatchalian.

EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Rep. Roman Romulo emphasized the importance of investing in the first years of learning. “We cannot solve our education crisis if we do not fix the foundation. This historic allocation for the full implementation of the ECCD System Act proves that we are serious about stopping the learning gap before it even begins,” he said.

Under the 2026 budget, the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) of the Department of Budget and Management totals PhP 57.8 billion, including allocations to:

• Convert day care centers to child development center standards in fourth and fifth class municipalities.
• Create plantilla positions for child development workers (CDWs) with a minimum salary grade 8 for these municipalities.

Additionally, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will use PhP 226.9 million to upskill 9,796 incumbent CDWs who currently hold only high school diplomas, providing them with the competencies to earn an NC III in Early Childhood Education.

Recognizing the importance of the first 1,000 days of life, the budget also increases funding for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Supplemental Feeding Program (SFP) and DepEd’s School-Based Feeding Program. This includes a PhP 369.6 million expansion to provide 120 days of nutritional support to at least 140,000 nutritionally at-risk pregnant adolescent learners beyond Grade 6, aiming to prevent stunting in their children.

EDCOM 2 Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee described the investments as “a big win for education,” highlighting that supporting children’s education and nutrition from ages zero to four is crucial to addressing literacy and learning challenges nationwide.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to integrating health, nutrition, and professionalized care for the country’s youngest learners through the 2026 fiscal plan.