Strengthening the Early Childhood Care and Development System

Aria! TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL -2 P4:30 SENATE S. No._ Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PERTINENT SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10410, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "EARLY YEARS ACT OF 2013", AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE It has been observed that children up to eight years of age spend an average of 15 minutes a day using mobile devices for entertainment purposes such as watch videos, play games, or even engage in social media' and in 2019, it was found that around 10% of kids of kindergarten age in the country already have eye problems.? Excessive screen time use in young children has been associated with risks for developmental delays, attention problems, and poorer academic performance. 3 It was also observed that children have become lazy and inactive, with their social skills rusting for being dependent on technology. 4 A recent survey conducted by Character.org in partnership with Ipsos tackling the challenges faced by parents on raising good kids in the digital age revealed that a ' Kids and modern technology. (2017, May 2). Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/the- freeman/cebu-lifestyle/2017/05/03/1690384/kids-and-modern-technology 2 Yee, J. (2019, November 6). Eye experts advice to PH kids: Less time on gadgets, more outdoors | Inquirer News. INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1186238/eye-experts-advice-to-ph-kids- less-time-on-gadgets-more-outdoors 3 Dy, A. B. C., Dy, A. B. C., & Santos, S. K. (2023). Measuring effects of screen time on the development of children in the Philippines: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16188-4 4 Perez, A. (2024, November 20). Too much screen time may cause weight gain, slow brain development in children: experts | ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN. https://www.abs- cbn.com/news/2024/2/16/too-much-screen-time-may-cause-weight-gain-slow-brain-development-in- children-experts-1736

majority of parents said that, in general, children today don't treat others with respect, are dishonest, don't show gratitude, and are lazy. Another survey conducted by the National Education Association (NEA) revealed that during the 2022-2023 school year, instances of disruptive and, in some cases, violent behavior among students became increasingly prevalent. As a result, many educators identified student behavior as one of their primary concerns. Character education is significant in shaping persons with moral integrity who can support a peaceful and morally upright society in addition to academically proficient individuals. Republic Act No. 10410, also known as the Early Years Act of 2013, acknowledges the period from zero (0) to eight (8) years as a critical phase in a child's educational development, thus, the effective implementation of the Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and Values Education Program (VEP) during the early childhood stage is essential to address the holistic needs of young children, thereby ensuring their optimum growth and development. The inclusion of GMRC in the curriculum aims to equip Filipino children with robust moral and ethical principles necessary to guide their behavior and decision- making in an increasingly technology-driven world, wherein a significant portion of human interaction now occurs in online environments. GMRC will foster responsible digital citizenship and moral resilience, enabling the youth to navigate the complexities and challenges of modern communication and technology with integrity and respect for others. Socio-cultural and civic engagement activities help young children learn about their communities, develop social skills, and develop a sense of responsibility. To complement the GMRC and values education, and early childhood care and 5 Langreo, L. (2023, January 26). Majority of parents say kids are dishonest, disrespectful, and lazy. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/majority-of-parents-say-kids-are-dishonest- disrespectful-and-lazy/2023/01 * Long, C. (2024, August 6). Breaking the cycle of bad behavior. NEA Today. Retrieved from https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/breaking-cycle-bad-behavior

development (ECCD) programs of the government, this measure seeks to promote the involvement of young children in socio-civic activities as a method of enforcing positive discipline towards shaping their moral and personal development to be adjusted to the State's national citizenhood goals. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. ROBINHOOD PADILLA Senator

Pter at d! TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL - 2 P4:30 SENATE RECED Ex S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PERTINENT SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10410, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "EARLY YEARS ACT OF 2013", AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 10410, or the Early Years Act of 2013

(EYA), is amended to read as follows: "Section 3. Objectives. - The National ECCD System shall pursue the following objectives: XXX (b) To enhance the physical-motor, socio-emotional, cognitive, language, psychological, VALUES, CHARACTER, AND spiritual development of young children; (c) TO FOSTER MORAL RESILIENCE TO ENABLE THE YOUTH TO NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES AND CHALLENGES OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY WITH INTEGRITY AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS; [(e)] (d) To facilitate a smooth transition from care, DISCIPLINE, and education provided at home to community or school-based setting and to kindergarten;

• • [{d)] (e) To ensure that young children are adequately prepared for the formal learning system that begins at kindergarten; [fe)] (f) To establish an efficient system for early identification, prevention, referral and intervention for the wide range of children with special needs from age zero (0) to four (4) years; [<#)] (g) To upgrade and update the capabilities of service providers and their supervisors to comply with quality standards for various ECCD programs; [(g)] (h) To reinforce the role of parents and other caregivers as the primary caregivers, DISCIPLINARIANS, AND educators of their children especially from age zero (0) to four (4) years; [(h)] (0) To enhance and sustain the efforts of communities to promote ECCD programs and ensure that special support is provided for poor, disadvantaged and linguistic minority communities; [()] G) To improve the quality standards of public and private ECCD programs through, but not limited to, a registration and credential system for ECCD service providers and facilities, [6)] (k) To ensure that the education of persons, and in particular children, who are blind, deaf or deafblind, are conducted in the most appropriate languages, modes and means of communication for the individual, and in environments which maximize academic and social development; and [(k)] (1) To employ teachers, including teachers with disabilities, who are qualified in sign language and/or braille, and to train professionals and staff who work at all levels of education."

Sec. 2. Section 4 of EYA, is amended to read as follows:

"Section 4. Definitions. - The following terms are defined as follows:

(a) Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System shall refer to the full range of health, nutrition, early education AND DISCIPLINE, and social services development programs that provide for the basic holistic needs of young children from age zero (0) to four (4) years; and to promote their optimum growth, development, AND GOOD MORAL CHARACTER. XXX (c) ECCD Curriculum shall refer to the developmentally-appropriate educational objectives and practices, programs of activities, organized learning experiences, recommended learning materials and appropriate assessment for children from age zero (0) to four (4) years that are implemented by service providers through center and home-based programs. It shall consist of national program goals and guidelines, instructional objectives, and content outlines that are age-appropriate, [individually] DEVELOPMENTALLY appropriate, and culturally relevant. ITS COMPONENTS SHALL AIM TO INSTILL A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD THE COMMUNITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT WHILE FOSTERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS, ATTITUDES, AND VALUES ESSENTIAL FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION IN AN EVOLVING AND PROGRESSIVE SOCIETY UNDER A REGIME OF POSITIVE DISCIPLINE THAT RESPECTS A CHILD'S DIGNITY. xXX"

Sec. 3. Section 5 of EYA, is amended to read as follows:

"Section 5. System Framework and Components. - The ECCD System shall ensure that the National ECCD Program is implemented in accordance with quality standards for accreditation and for this purpose there shall be established a National ECCD Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. The ECCD System shall include the following components:

(a) ECCD Curriculum. - The curriculum shall focus on children's total development and take into account age, individual and socio-cultural appropriateness. It shall Epromotel SUPPORT the [delivery] PROVISION of complementary and integrative services, INCLUDING THOSE RELATED TO [ferf health, nutrition, early childhood education, sanitation, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION and [ethtural DISCIPLINE, activities PROMOTING CULTURAL, MORAL, AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. It shall use the child's first language as the medium of instruction; XXX"

Sec. 4. Section 6 of EYA, is amended to read as follows:

"Section 6. Expanding the ECCD System. -The National ECCD System shall henceforth apply to all provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays as may be determined by the ECCD Council to achieve universal ECCD coverage for all children from age zero (0) to four (4) years. PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ESTABLISH A PROVINCIAL EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE (PECCDO) TO ENSURE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ECCD PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS OF THE PROVINCE."

Sec. 5. Section 11 of EYA, is amended to read as follows:

"Section 11. Appropriations. - The amount needed [for the initiat implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DepED, the DSWD, the DOH and the NNC for the purpose. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary] for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

In addition, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation shall contribute an amount of [Five hundred million peses (P500,000,000.00) ] ONE BILLION PESOS (P1,000,000,000.00) per year for ANOTHER five (5) years from its gross income to fund the establishment of National Child Development Centers and the conversion of existing Day Care Centers into Child Development Centers in various LGUs upon approval of this Act. Said amount shall be directly remitted in four (4) quarterly installments to a special account of the ECCD Council."

Sec. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or

unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and subsisting.

Sec. 7. Repealing Clause.- Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive

order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

Sec. 8. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines. Approved,