Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 286)
The primary objective of Executive Order No. 286 is to direct National Government agencies and other concerned offices to actively support and implement programs on the "Bright Child," which is a one-brand package of interventions on food and nutrition, health, early education, and psychosocial programs for young children to ensure their optimum growth and development.
The Council for the Welfare of Children Coordinating Office is tasked with managing the Bright Child program and developing its implementation mechanics alongside an Inter-Agency Technical Working Group.
The lead cooperating agencies are the Council for the Welfare of Children/National Early Childhood Care and Development Coordinating Council (CWC/NECCDCC) through its Co-chairpersons, namely the Secretaries of the Departments of Health, Social Welfare and Development, Education, and the Interior and Local Government.
The Bright Child program includes services such as pre and post-natal care, breastfeeding, immunization, growth monitoring and promotion, nutrition education, micronutrient supplementation, complementary feeding/food assistance, home and community food production, home and center-based daycare, psychosocial care and development, parent education, early education, and promotion of a healthy lifestyle.
Local governments, communities, and families are to partner with lead agencies to promote the Bright Child through an integrated approach and to actively participate in planning, implementing, and sustaining the program.
CWC/NECCDCC may call upon any or all government agencies including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Justice, National Nutrition Council, National Economic and Development Authority, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, as well as NGOs, civil society groups, academia, business, private sector, and international services.
The Order promotes children's rights to survival, development, participation, and special protection by ensuring access to comprehensive early childhood care and development services including nutrition, health, education, and psychosocial support.
An amount of Php 5 Million from the President's Contingent Fund is allocated to promote the Bright Child campaign and provide seed money for initial implementation in nutritionally depressed municipalities.
The "one-brand package" refers to a comprehensive set of coordinated programs and interventions that address food and nutrition, health, early education, and psychosocial care to support the holistic development of young children.
Through the mandate of the CWC/NECCDCC to coordinate and sustain inter-agency and multi-sectoral collaboration at national and local levels, involving government agencies, NGOs, private sector, and local communities.