Republic of the Philippines

Congress of the Philippines

Metro Manila
Fifteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-third day of July, two thousand twelve.

[REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10410]

AN ACT RECOGNIZING THE AGE FROM ZERO (0) TO EIGHT (8) YEARS AS THE
FIRST CRUCIAL STAGE OF EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND
STRENGTHENING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT
SYSTEM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Early Years Act (EYA) of 2013”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote the
rights of children to survival, development and special protection with full recognition of the
nature of childhood and as well as the need to provide developmentally appropriate experiences
to address their needs; and to support parents in their roles as primary caregivers and as their
children’s first teachers. Further, the State hereby recognizes the age from zero (0) to eight (8)
years as the first crucial stage of educational development of which the age from zero (0) to four
(4) years shall be the responsibility of the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD)
Council. Therefore, the responsibility to help develop children in the formative years between
age five (5) to eight (8) years shall be with the Department of Education (DepED).

The State shall institutionalize a National System for Early Childhood Care and Development
(ECCD) that is comprehensive, integrative and sustainable, that involves multisectoral and
interagency collaboration at the national and local levels among government; among service
providers, families and communities, and among the public and private sectors, nongovernment
organizations; professional associations and academic institutions.

The System shall promote the inclusion of children with special needs, provide for reasonable
accommodation and accessible environments for children with disabilities and advocate respect
for cultural and linguistic diversity, including the use of Filipino Sign Language as the visual
language of the deaf community. It shall be anchored on complementary strategies for ECCD
that include service delivery for children from age zero (0) to four (4) years, educating parents
and caregivers, encouraging the active involvement of parents and communities in ECCD
programs, raising awareness about the important efforts that improve the quality of life for young
children and families.

SEC. 3. Objectives. – The National ECCD System shall pursue the following objectives:
(a) To achieve improved infant and child survival rates by ensuring that adequate health and
nutrition programs are accessible to young children and their parents, from the prenatal period
throughout the early childhood years;

(b) To enhance the physical-motor, socio-emotional, cognitive, language, psychological and

spiritual development of young children;

(c) To facilitate a smooth transition from care and education provided at home to community or
school-based setting and to kindergarten;

(d) To ensure that young children are adequately prepared for the formal learning system that
begins at kindergarten;

(e) 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;

(f) To upgrade and update the capabilities of service providers and their supervisors to comply
with quality standards for various ECCD programs;

(g) To reinforce the role of parents and other caregivers as the primary caregivers and educators
of their children especially from age zero (0) to four (4) years;

(h) 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;

(i) 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,

(j) 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) 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. 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 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 and development.

These programs shall include:

(1) Center-based programs, such as the day care service established under Republic Act No.
6972, otherwise known as the “Barangay – Level Total Development and Protection of Children
Act”, and hereinafter referred to as the child development service, community or church-based
early childhood education programs initiated by nongovernment organizations or people’s
organizations, workplace-related child care and education programs, child-minding centers,
health centers and stations; and

(2) Home-based programs, such as the neighborhood-based play groups, family child care
programs, parent education and home visiting programs.

(b) ECCD Service Providers shall include the various professionals, paraprofessionals and
volunteer caregivers who are directly responsible for the care and education of young children
from age zero (0) to four (4) years through the various centers and home-based programs. They
shall include, but shall not be limited to, day care workers hereinafter referred to as child
development workers, child development teachers, teacher-aides, rural health midwives, social
workers, community health workers, barangay nutrition scholars, parent effectiveness service
volunteers, and family day care providers.

(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 appropriate and culturally relevant.

(d) Parent Education shall refer to the various formal and alternative means of providing parents
with information, skills, and support systems to assist them in their roles as their children’s
primary caregivers and educators. These include public and private parent education programs
linked to center, home and media-based child care and education programs.

SEC. 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 promote the delivery of
complementary and integrative services for health, nutrition, early childhood education,
sanitation and cultural activities. It shall use the child’s first language as the medium of
instruction;

(b) Parent Education and Involvement, Advocacy and Mobilization of Communities. – This
component shall harness and develop parents’ strengths as providers of ECCD programs at
home, as active partners of other stakeholders, as advocates for community concerns that affect
children, and as pillars of support for local and national ECCD programs through community
organization efforts;
(c) Human Resource Development Program. – The program shall establish mechanisms for the
systematic professionalization of ECCD service providers through enrolment in educational
program in site-based or distance education modes, through pre-service or in-service training
including continuing education programs, whereby a registration and credential system shall be
developed in the ECCD System; and

(d) ECCD Management. – This component shall consist of a continuing process of planning,
implementation, supervision, financial management, monitoring, evaluation and reporting to
persons concerned and shall encourage the active involvement of and build the capabilities of
service providers, parents and local government officials to sustain the program.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 7. Implementing Arrangements and Operational Structures. – The implementation of the

National ECCD System shall be the responsibility of the ECCD Council.

(a) Responsibilities of the ECCD Council. – The ECCD Council shall he responsible for
establishing national standards, developing policies and programs, ensuring compliance thereof
providing technical assistance and support to the ECCD service providers in consultation with
coordinating committees at the provincial, city, municipal and barangay levels.

The Department of Education (DepED), the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the National Nutrition Council (NNC) and the
Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (HEAP) shall meet in an annual workshop to
prepare work and financial plans that will coordinate their technical assistance and support for
the National ECCD Program. They shall observe existing implementing guidelines that ensure
consistency in integrated service delivery within the National ECCD System, as follows:

(1) The DepED shall recognize the National ECCD Program as the foundation of the learning
continuum and shall promote it for all children from age zero (0) to four (4) years; and

(2) The DepED, the DSWD, the DOH and the NNC shall provide continuing professional
development program support, supplementary learning materials, reference materials,
supplemental nutrition and health care services.

(b) Responsibilities of Local Government Units. – Local government units (LGUs) shall include
allocations from their Special Education Fund (SEF) and Gender and Development (GAD) Fund
in addition to other local funds to be utilized for the following purposes:

(1) Support the implementation of their ECCD Program;

(2) Organize and support parent cooperatives to establish community-based ECCD programs;
(3) Provide counterpart funds for the continuing professional development of their ECCD public
service providers; and

(4) Provide the facilities for the conduct of their ECCD Program.

(c) Responsibilities of Families and Communities. Families and communities shall support the
local ECCD programs by participating in various community-based projects such as, but not
limited to, health, nutrition, social development and early childhood education projects for the
overall development of their children from age zero (0) to four (4) years.

SEC. 8. Strengthening the ECCD Council. – The ECCD Council shall be strengthened to ensure
the State’s focus on building a strong foundation for the development and learning of children
during the early years from age zero (0) to four (4) years, to support the full range of health,
nutrition, early education and social development programs for the child’s holistic development
and ensure sustained interagency and multisectoral collaboration. The Council shall he attached
to the DepED.

SEC. 9. Organization of the ECCD Council. – The ECCD Council shall be composed of the
following.

(a) ECCD Governing Board. – The ECCD Governing Board shall he composed of:

(1) Secretary of the DepED, as ex officio Chairperson;

(2) Executive Director of the ECCD Council, as Vice Chairperson;

(3) Secretary of the DSWD, as member;

(4) Secretary of the DOH, as member;

(5) Executive Director of the NNC, as member;

(6) President of the ULAP, as member; and

(7) One (1) private individual who is an ECCD practitioner and expert shall be appointed by the
President upon the recommendation of the Board, as member.

The Board shall meet once a month or upon the call of the Chairperson or three (3) members of
the Board.

(b) Council Secretariat. – There shall be established an ECCD Council Secretariat to be beaded
by an Executive Director. The Secretariat shall provide support services for the coordination and
monitoring of the implementation of policies and plans formulated by the Council subject to the
Compensation and Position Classification System and other existing civil service rules and
regulations.
SEC. 10. Functions of the ECCD Council. – The ECCD Council shall carry out the objectives of
the National ECCD System by performing the following functions:

(a) Promulgate policies and implement guidelines for ECCD programs in consultation with
stakeholders, including the regional level when appropriate, consistent with the national policy
and program frameworks as defined in this Act;

(b) Establish ECCD program standards that reflect developmentally appropriate practices for
ECCD programs, which shall interface with the kindergarten curriculum of the DepED;

(c) Develop a national system for the recruitment, registration, accreditation, continuing
education and equivalency, and credential system of ECCD service providers, supervisors and
administrators to improve and professionalize the ECCD sector and upgrade quality standards of
public and private ECCD programs;

(d) Develop a national system of awards and recognition to deserving ECCD program
implementers and service providers;

(e) Promote, encourage and coordinate the various ECCD programs of the DepED, the DSWD,
the DOH and the NNC, and monitor the delivery of services to the ECCD program beneficiaries
nationwide;

(f) Evaluate and assess the impact and outcome of various ECCD programs nationwide through
an effective information system;

(g) Develop a national system for early identification, screening and surveillance of young
children from age zero (0) to four (4) years;

(h) Develop various support mechanisms that maximize public and private resources for
implementing ECCD programs, giving priority to the needy and high risk children from poor
communities;

(i) Provide funds to poor and disadvantaged communities for the establishment and expansion of
public ECCD programs, improvement of physical facilities and for hiring of ECCD service
providers;

(j) Promote and encourage private sector initiatives for the establishment of ECCD programs;

(k) Provide guidelines for the conduct of solicitations from local and international civic
organizations, and request private foundations to supplement available resources; and

(l) Perform such other functions as the ECCD Council may deem necessary.

SEC. 11. Appropriations. – The amount needed for the initial 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 he included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

In addition, the Philippine Amusement and Gaining Corporation shall contribute an amount of
Five hundred million pesos (P500,000,000.00) per year for 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 he directly remitted in four (4) quarterly installments to a special account of
the ECCD Council.

SEC. 12. Financing ECCD Programs. – ECCD programs shall be financed through a
combination of public and private funds. All public ECCD program providers shall prioritize
children from age zero (0) to four (4) years horn families who are in greatest need and who can
least afford private ECCD programs.

(a) Financial and Technical Support. – The DepED, the DSWD and the DOH shall support the
implementation of the National ECCD System by providing financial and technical support
packages to ECCD programs.

(b) Other Forms of Support for ECCD Programs. – LGUs shall be encouraged to support public
ECCD programs in their respective localities. Additional funds may be generated from
intergovernmental donors and government financial institutions to support the public programs
including the urban poor.

There shall be established a fund for an ECCD Program Contracting Scheme with accredited
private providers at the community levels.

(c) Fees and Contributions. – Fees and contributions collected for both public and private ECCD
programs shall be monitored by the ECCD Council to ensure that these are affordable and within
reasonable limits. Families are encouraged to contribute their time and services to support the
ECCD programs.

SEC. 13. Annual Report. – The ECCD Council shall, at the close of each calendar year, submit
annual physical and financial reports to Congress, giving a detailed account of its proceedings
and accomplishments during the year, making recommendations for the adoption of measures
that will improve the National ECCD System and ensuring achievement of universal coverage of
ECCD benefits to all children from age zero (0) to four (4) years, within a period of five (5)
years.

SEC. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The ECCD Council, in consultation with
appropriate government agencies and nongovernment organizations, shall formulate and issue
the necessary rules and regulations within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. – Republic Act No. 8980, otherwise known as “An Act
Promulgating A Comprehensive Policy And A National System For Early Childhood Care And
Development (ECCD), Providing Funds Therefor And For Other Purposes”, is hereby repealed.
 All laws, decrees, executive orders, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts
thereof contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 16. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any portion of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected shall continue to be in
full force and effect.

SEC. 17. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

(Sgd.) JUAN PONCE ENRILE (Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.

President of the Senate Speaker of the House
of Representatives

This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 6694 and Senate Bill No. 3206 was finally
passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on November 28, 2012 and January 23,
2013, respectively.

(Sgd.) EMMA LIRIO-REYES (Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP

Secretary of the Senate Secretary General
House of Representatives

Approved: MAR 26 2013

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

President of the Philippines