The House Committee on Welfare of Children chaired by BHW Party-list Representative Angelica Natasha Co approved the substitute bill seeking to strengthen the early childhood care and development system in the country.
The measure replaces House Bills 3307 and 4319, authored by Camarines Norte Representative Josefina Tallado and Parañaque City Representative Gus Tambunting, respectively.
Co explained that the bill seeks to secure not only the future of millions of Filipino children, but also the rights of child development workers, such as tenure security, humane working conditions, living wage, as well as health and social benefits.
“It is incumbent upon us to provide the child development workers with the proper compensation, remuneration and job security that they truly deserve.”
“It is incumbent upon us, members of the public sector, through the help of our partners in the private sector, to provide the child development workers with the proper compensation, remuneration and job security that they truly deserve,” the legislator said.
PAGCOR, CEZA, AFAB, PCSO and other operators, licensors and regulators would contribute P500-million every year for five years.
Under the measure, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), Authority of the Freeport of Bataan (AFAB), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and other operators, licensors and regulators would contribute P500-million every year for five years.
The amount will be used to fund the establishment of National Child Development Centers, and convert existing daycare centers into child development centers in various local government units (LGUs).
Once enacted into law, the bill would amend Republic Act 10410 or the “Early Years Act (EYA) of 2013.”
The panel also approved the substitute bill on instituting the Magna Carta of Child Development Workers.
The substitute bill proposes to grant benefits for day care workers and create plantilla positions in all day care centers.
According to BH Party-list Representative Bernadette Herrera, author of HB 1268, the bill seeks to adequately protect and recognize day care workers who have long been neglected and undervalued despite their crucial role in child development and the economy.
