Establishment of Barangay Day Care Centers

The Decree is enacted to address the condition that three million Filipino children suffer from malnutrition and lack opportunities for social development.
The Decree targets pre-school children ages 0–6, identifying them as the most vulnerable to the ill-effects of malnutrition and lack of social and mental stimulation.
The Decree supports government efforts to combat malnutrition through the organization of day care centers and supplemental feeding units to promote the social and mental development of pre-schoolers in support of the nationwide nutrition program.
The Decree requires an urgent expansion of day care centers to reach more needy children, protect their interests, and prevent the loss of human potential.
The Decree promotes collective public and private participation, including active involvement of non-governmental organizations.
The Decree provides for support mechanisms through the unexpended balance of local government, public donations, and donations from private sector, including contributions from international organizations.

Section 2 requires that in every barangay with at least one hundred (100) family heads residing therein, a Day Care Center must be established.
Section 3 requires that the Day Care Center look after the nutritional needs and social and mental development of all children ages 2 to 5.
Section 3 covers children when their parents are unable to do so.

Section 3 directs Day Care Centers to address nutritional needs and social and mental development for covered children.
Section 4 requires staffing with at least one (1) female day care nursery worker.
Section 4 requires that the day care nursery worker be of good physical health.
Section 4 requires that the day care nursery worker be competent to provide substitute parental care and provide services for social and mental development.

Section 5 requires that Barangay Day Care Centers be accredited by the Bureau of Family and Child Welfare of the DSSD.

Section 6 authorizes funds for the establishment and maintenance of depressed Barangay Day Care Centers to be appropriated from:
- the unexpended balance of local and national governments, or
- public donations.

Section 7 provides immediate effect, without requiring any transition period or further implementing step within the Decree.
No penalties, sanctions, or administrative consequences are provided in the Decree.