Question & AnswerQ&A (IRR of Republic Act No. 11908)
Republic Act No. 11908 is also known as the Parent Effectiveness Service (PES) Program Act. Its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) are known as the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 11908.
The State recognizes the sanctity of family life, protects and strengthens the family as a basic social institution and foundation of the nation, promotes total development of families, and defends the rights of children to care, health, education, and protection from neglect, abuse, and exploitation.
The PES Program primarily covers fathers and mothers of children and parent-substitutes who have direct care, custody, and parental authority over their children. This includes biological parents, adoptive parents, foster parents, legal guardians, surrogate parents, and care providers certified by relevant agencies.
Priority is given to solo parents and their substitutes, adolescent parents and their substitutes, and parents or substitutes with vulnerable children including children at risk, children in conflict with the law, children exposed to violence, children with disabilities, children of OFWs, and children of indigenous communities.
A Parent-Substitute is a person other than the biological or adoptive parents who has custody over a child and is primarily responsible for their care and development. This includes foster parents, legal guardians, surrogate parents, and care providers certified by the concerned DSWD Field Office or SWADO.
The PES Program aims to assist parents and substitutes in strengthening their parental knowledge and skills, increase awareness and understanding of their roles, and develop positive parental values and behaviors to ensure optimal child development and educational progress.
Core areas include husband-wife relationships, parent-child relationships, child development, health care, nutrition, education, behavior management, prevention of child abuse, and other parenting challenges.
PES Facilitators are trained individuals preferably with degrees in social sciences or related fields, with experience in working with children and families, good communication skills, and positive attitude. Their roles include facilitating learning sessions, adapting approaches, organizing participants, monitoring progress, and coordinating with local social welfare offices.
The PES Program is implemented by cities and municipalities through their Local Social Welfare and Development Offices (LSWDOs). The program includes conducting parent effectiveness sessions, public awareness campaigns, regular monitoring, evaluations, and resource mobilization.
DSWD leads in developing the PES Framework, provides technical assistance, produces PES Modules and Facilitator Manuals, maintains databases, reviews and updates programs, identifies training needs, conducts research, and coordinates with attached agencies for the effective implementation of the PES Program.
The PES Program constitutes full compliance with the parent education component under Republic Act No. 10410 (Early Years Act of 2013) and aligns with other government programs that mandate parent education, thus harmonizing efforts towards early childhood care and development.
LSWDOs prepare annual programs and schedules for sessions. DSWD leads Program Review and Evaluation Workshops (PREW) and impact evaluations every three years. LGUs submit implementation reports for analysis and improvement of the program.
Initial funding comes from the current appropriations of involved government agencies. Continuing costs are included in the General Appropriations Act. Expenses for sessions may be charged against city and municipal appropriations or the Special Education Fund.