The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) lauds the signing into law of RA 12199, titled “The ECCD System Act” by the President last May 8, 2025. This significant legislative development marks a crucial step in prioritizing the foundational years of Filipino children, further strengthening the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System in the country, while addressing the challenges faced by the Early Years Act of 2013 (RA 10410). This legislation has been one of the key EDCOM priority measures since 2023.

“This new legislation is a major step forward in fixing the foundations of our education system. A child’s early years are critical. 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,” EDCOM 2 Co-Chair Rep. Roman Romulo said.

“Through this landmark reform, we will mobilize our local government units in the delivery of ECCD programs and services. This will strengthen our learners’ foundations, which is crucial in resolving the education crisis that hounds our country.” EDCOM 2 Co-Chair Senator Win Gatchalian said.

The newly enacted law firmly 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 (0) to eight (8) years old, acknowledging this as the first crucial stage of educational development.

EDCOM 2’s studies found that only 15,207 out of 42,027 (36%) barangays in the country, have at least one Child Development Center (CDC) despite RA 6972 of 1990, which mandates their establishment nationwide. In response, the new law places the primary responsibility for implementing the ECCD implementation on Local Government Units (LGUs). 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.

RA 12199 also focuses on the professionalization of CDTs and CDWs, outlining minimum qualifications, training, assessment, and certification requirements. The law also increases the salary grades of CDTs and CDWs which responds to the Commission’s findings that 89% of CDTs and CDWs nationwide remain in non-permanent positions and that the average salary is only around Php 5,000 per month. The Act mandates the ECCD Council, in collaboration with CHED and TESDA, to ensure the availability of training programs and develop scholarship programs.

Financing for ECCD programs will be a combination of public and private funds, prioritizing children below five years of age from families in greatest need and who can least afford it. LGUs will receive allocations from the Local Government Support Fund, including line-item allocation for the establishment of CDCs and the hiring of CDTs and CDWs.

The Act also strengthens the ECCD Council, which is now an attached agency of the Department of Interior and Local Government. It was previously an attached agency of the Department of Education. The DILG Secretary will now serve as ex-officio Co-Chairperson of the Council, alongside the DepEd Secretary. The new law also creates a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee (JCOC) to oversee, monitor, and evaluate the implementation and impact of the Act.

The DILG is also mandated to include ECCD indicators into the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) assessment criteria under the social protection and sensitivity program, health compliance and responsiveness, and programs for sustainable education.

“Through the passage of RA 12199, we are positioning our education system to address the roots of illiteracy by tackling nutrition and early childhood education. Studies are clear: by investing in the foundations of our children early on, we reduce dropout rates, improve student achievement, boost literacy rates, and increase income in later years. ECCD is the best investment we can make for our children, and the signing of this law underscores the importance of education to our country,” said Executive Director Karol Mark Yee.

The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the Act shall be formulated by the ECCD Council in consultation with relevant government agencies and non-government organizations within ninety (90) days after its effectivity.

The ECCD System Act was co-authored by EDCOM 2 Co-Chairpersons Gatchalian, Romulo, and Rep. Mark Go, together with Commissioners Sen. Joel Villanueva, Sen. Loren Legarda, together with former Commissioners Sonny Angara and Francisco “Kiko” Benitez.