Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 340)
All National Government Agencies and Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations are mandated to provide day care services to children of their employees under five years of age.
The day care services cover children aged five years and below.
The day care services shall be provided either within the office facilities of the government agencies or in areas accessible and/or acceptable to the parents.
The objectives include: 1) proper care and nutrition to become physically fit, 2) development of social, mental, intellectual skills, 3) fostering spiritual, socio-cultural, and nationalistic values and positive attitudes towards God, family, environment, and society, and 4) providing substitute parenting and protection from neglect, abuse, and exploitation while the parent is at work.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is designated as the lead agency for the implementation of the day care service program.
The DSWD is tasked to: 1) formulate the implementing guidelines, 2) disseminate the guidelines to all concerned government offices within one month from approval, 3) provide technical assistance through training, assessment and monitoring, and 4) license and accredit the day care services, facilities, and workers.
Expenses shall be charged to the Gender and Development (GAD) funds from the Employees' Suggestions and Incentives Awards System (ESIAS) funds for human resource development of the respective agencies.
Yes, government agencies may mobilize resources from non-government, private, and international agencies for materials development, facility improvement, and curriculum enrichment in coordination with DSWD.
The Executive Order took effect immediately upon its approval on February 5, 1997.