QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11908)
The Act is known as the “Parent Effectiveness Service Program Act.” (Sec. 1)
RA 11908 declares the State’s policy to recognize the sanctity of family life, protect and strengthen the family as a basic social institution, promote family participation in policies affecting them, defend children’s right to proper care and nutrition, and provide special protection from neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other prejudicial conditions. (Sec. 2)
The PES Program primarily covers fathers and mothers of children and parent-substitutes. (Sec. 3[a])
LGUs must give priority to parents/parent-substitutes with vulnerable children such as children at risk, children in conflict with the law, children exposed to/involved in violence in homes and communities, solo parents (and their substitutes), and adolescent parents (and their substitutes). (Sec. 3[b])
A parent-substitute is a person other than the biological parent with custody over a child and primarily responsible for the child’s care and development, such as foster parents, legal guardians, and care providers; surrogate parents and care providers must secure a certification from the proper DSWD office confirming them as a parent-substitute. (Sec. 4[d])
A module is a component subject consisting of written material taught in a specified number of sessions, which together with other modules counts toward completion of the PES Program. (Sec. 4[b])
It is a program providing and expanding parents’ and parent-substitutes’ knowledge and skills on parenting to respond to parental duties and responsibilities, including early childhood development, behavior management, husband-wife relationships, prevention of child abuse, health care, and other parenting challenges, so they can assume the major educational role in the child’s growth and development. (Sec. 5[c])
Examples of core modules include: (a) Parents and Parent-Substitutes and their Roles and Needs; (b) The Filipino Family; (c) Challenges of Parenting; (d) Child Development; (e) Keeping Children Safe from Abuse; (f) Building the Child’s Positive Behavior; (g) Health and Nutrition; (h) Home Management; (i) Keeping a Healthy Physical Environment for the Child; (j) Keeping Children Safe in Times of Disasters; (k) Investment in Adolescents. (Sec. 5[a]-[k])
LGUs may design and contextualize their own modules based on community needs and PES results, and may modify core modules to adapt to local context, provided modifications are consistent with existing laws. (Sec. 5)
DSWD, with relevant agencies and through LGUs, must conduct research on effective evidence-based policies and best practices; an analytical framework must be established to determine interrelation between parent effectiveness and child development and to evaluate resources, efficiency, drivers of change, linkages to outcomes, and sustainability; LGUs must continuously evaluate using data-driven metrics such as participation rate and children’s feedback regarding parents/parent-substitutes. (Sec. 6)
Cities and municipalities implement the PES Program through their social welfare and development offices and LGUs, with parent effectiveness sessions conducted in every barangay at schedules and intervals determined by local officers; officers must annually prepare and submit a complete program and schedule covering all barangays to the local chief executive. (Sec. 7)
Yes. Home visits may be used; DSWD and LGUs are encouraged to use other mechanisms such as home and modular training packages via social media; distance PES may be used to raise awareness; and private organizations accredited by DSWD may implement in coordination with LGUs. (Sec. 7)
PES conducted pursuant to RA 11908 shall constitute as full and complete compliance with the PES component incorporated under RA 10410 (Early Years Act of 2013) and other programs mandating delivery of PES as a requirement for coverage and entitlement. (Sec. 7)
DSWD primarily promotes and strengthens well-being of Filipino families and updates programs; DepEd, ECCD Council, SGCs, and DOH provide principles and supplementary learning materials and DepEd integrates age-appropriate content in basic education curriculum; DOJ ensures PES is guided by non-discrimination, best interests of the child, right to life, and legal protection; DILG recognizes outstanding LGUs and enables replication/adoption of modules; LGUs coordinate with relevant agencies and may collaborate with DepEd schools division offices and provide incentives. (Sec. 8)
Within three (3) months from the effectivity of the Act, DSWD (with coordination with DepEd, ECCD Council, DOH, DOJ, and DILG through LGUs) must develop and produce PES Module Manuals for facilitators, subject to LGU local modifications; agencies must also harmonize existing modules from related programs. (Sec. 10)
Notwithstanding non-issuance of the IRR, the Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. (Sec. 16)
For the first year, funds come from current appropriations of the implementing agencies (DSWD, DepEd, ECCD Council, DOH, DOJ, DILG). Thereafter, funding is included in the annual General Appropriations Act. Costs for conducting parent effectiveness sessions and other related expenses are charged against city/municipal appropriations or the Special Education Fund, as applicable. (Sec. 12)