Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11908)
The short title of Republic Act No. 11908 is "The Parent Effectiveness Service Program Act."
The primary policy is to recognize the sanctity of family life, protect and strengthen the family as a basic social institution, promote family participation in policies affecting them, and defend children's rights to care and protection from neglect and abuse.
The PES Program primarily covers fathers, mothers, and parent-substitutes, giving priority to those with vulnerable children, including children at risk, children in conflict with the law, children exposed to violence, solo parents, adolescent parents, and their parent-substitutes.
A ‘‘Child’’ refers to a person below eighteen (18) years of age or a person over eighteen but unable to fully take care or protect oneself due to physical or psychosocial disability or condition.
A Parent-Substitute is a person other than the biological parent who has custody over a child and is primarily responsible for the child's care and development, such as foster parents, legal guardians, or care providers, and requires certification from the DSWD if a surrogate parent or care provider.
The PES Program aims to assist all parents and parent-substitutes in strengthening their knowledge and skills to respond effectively to their parental duties and responsibilities, promote children's rights, foster early childhood development, and advance their educational progress.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council, School Governing Councils (SGCs), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) are involved.
The modules cover topics including roles and needs of parents, Filipino family dynamics, challenges in parenting, child development, prevention of child abuse, building positive child behavior, health and nutrition, home management, safe physical environment, disaster preparedness for children, and investment in adolescents.
Effectiveness will be evaluated through research by the DSWD and partner agencies, using an analytical framework to assess parent effectiveness, child development outcomes, resource use, participation rates, and children’s feedback on their parents or parent-substitutes.
Cities and municipalities, through their respective social welfare and development offices and LGUs, are responsible for conducting parent effectiveness sessions in every barangay according to schedules prepared and submitted to the local chief executive.
Yes, private organizations accredited by the DSWD may implement the PES Program in coordination with the concerned LGU.
The PES Program under RA 11908 shall constitute full and complete compliance with the PES component mandated by RA 10410 and other government programs requiring PES for program coverage and entitlement.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is primarily responsible for promoting, strengthening, and enhancing the well-being of Filipino families by providing integrated, comprehensive, and developmental services.
The DOJ shall ensure the PES Program is guided by non-discrimination, the best interests of the child, and the child’s right to life, and shall guarantee the legal protection of all children.
For the first year, funding will come from the current appropriations of DSWD, DepEd, ECCD Council, DOH, DOJ, and DILG. Thereafter, it will be included in the General Appropriations Act. Costs for parent effectiveness sessions are charged against city or municipal appropriations or the Special Education Fund.
The DSWD, in coordination with other agencies, shall issue the IRR within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of the Act, and the IRR shall take effect thirty (30) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
The remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect as provided by the Separability Clause.
RA 11908 took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation, lapsing into law without the President’s signature, in accordance with Article VI, Section 27(1) of the Constitution.