QuestionsQuestions (IRR of Republic Act No. 11908)
The IRR is promulgated pursuant to Section 13 of Republic Act No. 11908 to prescribe the procedures and guidelines for the effective implementation of the Parent Effectiveness Service (PES) Program Act.
The State recognizes the sanctity of family life, protects and strengthens the family as a basic institution, and promotes its total development and the participation of families in policies affecting them. It also defends the rights of children to assistance, including proper care, health and nutrition, education, and special protection from neglect, abuse, cruelty, bullying, discrimination, exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to growth and development.
To clarify the scope and implementation of the PES Program Act to provide and expand knowledge and skills of parents and parent-substitutes on parenting so they can fulfill parental duties and responsibilities for optimal child growth and development.
Primarily fathers and mothers of children and parent-substitutes with direct care, custody, and parental authority. Covered: biological/birth parents; adoptive parents with court/DSWD/NACC adoption order; and parent-substitutes such as foster parents (licensed), legal guardians (court order), surrogate parents (DSWD Field Office/SWAD certification), and care providers (DSWD Field Office/SWAD certification).
Solo parents and/or their parent-substitutes; adolescent parents and their parents and/or parent-substitutes; and parents/parent-substitutes with vulnerable children needing special protection (e.g., children at risk, in conflict with the law, victims of violence, children in crisis/armed conflict/emergencies due to disasters, worst forms of child labor, children with disabilities/special needs, children of OFWs, and children of indigenous communities).
Sessions conducted through modalities aside from face-to-face interaction with parents, such as development of social media cards, online sessions, chat groups, and similar formats.
Parents and parent-substitutes attending the PES module sessions and other activities under the PES Program.
PES Modules are components consisting of written materials taught in a specified number of sessions, and together with other modules count toward completion of the PES Program. The PES Program is a program providing and expanding knowledge and skills of parents and parent-substitutes on parenting across areas such as early childhood development, behavior management, husband-wife relationships, prevention of child abuse, health care, and other parenting challenges.
DSWD develops/enhances PES Modules in consultation with concerned attached agencies, in coordination with DepEd, the ECCD Council, the School Governing Councils (SGCs), DOH, DOJ, and DILG. Private sector, civil society/NGOs/faith-based organizations, professional/academic institutions, and selected LGUs may be consulted for specific modules.
LGUs may modify PES modules to adapt to local context (e.g., Indigenous culture, geography, resources) and best interest of the child, but core content must remain consistent with existing laws and PES principles. Such modifications must be approved by DSWD and consistent with existing laws and principles.
Examples include: (1) Husband-wife relationships; (2) Parent-child relationships; (3) Child development; (4) Health care, nutrition, education and social relationships; (5) Behavior management of younger and older children; (6) Prevention of child abuse/neglect/exploitation; (7) Keeping children safe from abuse; (8) Building the child’s positive behavior; (9) Health and nutrition; (10) Home management; (11) Keeping a healthy physical environment for the child; (12) Keeping children safe in disasters/emergencies; (13) Investment in adolescents.
Within three (3) months from the effectivity of the IRR, DSWD in coordination with DepEd and ECCD Council, DOH, DOJ, and DILG through LGUs must develop and produce PES Module Manuals, including distance PES, for PES Facilitators, subject to LGU local adaptations.
At minimum: public awareness/information and advocacy campaign; baseline assessment tools and master list of participants; PES module session plans; methodologies and approaches (e.g., role plays, case analysis, audio-visuals); other strategies including home visits and field exposures; use of Distance PES as applicable; and sustainability strategies (e.g., incentives/recognitions, general assemblies, testimonies).
Cities and municipalities implement through their respective LSWDOs; at least one Registered Social Welfare Officer (RSW) oversees and monitors implementation under supervision of the head of the LSWDO.
LSWDO must annually prepare and submit to the Local Chief Executive a program and schedule of parent effectiveness sessions covering all barangays plus analysis and recommendations. DSWD spearheads a Program Review and Evaluation Workshop (PREW) and includes PES in Service Delivery Capacity Competency Assessment (SDCCA). An impact evaluation is conducted every three (3) years starting CY 2027.
DSWD primarily leads: develops the Parenting Effectiveness Service Program Framework; provides technical assistance; develops/enhances/produces/distributes PES modules and PES Facilitator’s Manual and issues guidelines; establishes database/knowledge management; reviews and integrates modules into other DSWD programs; identifies training gaps and sets standards; reviews and updates modules/develops new ones; conducts policy review; undertakes research; and collaborates with DSWD attached agencies.
For the first year, funds for responsibilities of DSWD, DepEd, ECCD Council, DOH, DOJ, and DILG come from their current appropriations. Thereafter, funds for continuing implementation must be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
It takes effect thirty (30) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation. Copies must be filed with the UP Law Center’s Office of the National Administrative Register (UPLC-ONAR).