National ECCD System Act

Improve infant and child survival through accessible health and nutrition.
Enhance holistic child development: physical, social, emotional, cognitive, psychological, spiritual, and language.
Strengthen the role of parents and caregivers.
Facilitate smooth transition to school-based education.
Upgrade capabilities of ECCD service providers.
Sustain community efforts, especially in poor and disadvantaged areas.
Prepare children for formal education.
Establish system for early detection and intervention of developmental disorders.
Improve quality standards with registration and credentialing of providers.

ECCD System: Integrated health, nutrition, early education, and social services for children from birth to six.
Programs include center-based (day care, preschools, health centers) and home-based (playgroups, parent education).
ECCD Service Providers: Professionals and volunteers directly involved in child care and education.
ECCD Curriculum: Age and developmentally appropriate education programs and materials.
Parent Education: Formal and informal support programs to assist parents in caregiving and education roles.

ECCD Curriculum promoting child's total development using first language instruction.
Parent Education, Community Advocacy, and Mobilization emphasizing parental involvement.
Human Resource Development for professionalizing service providers and establishing credentials.
ECCD Management focusing on planning, supervision, funding, monitoring, and decentralization.
Quality Standards and Accreditation to ensure compliance with national standards.

Joint responsibility among national agencies, local government units (LGUs), NGOs, and private organizations.
National government develops policies, provides technical support, and monitors programs.
Key departments involved: DSWD, DECS, DOH, DILG, DOLE, DA, DOJ, NEDA, NNC.
DECS promotes ECCD in public schools and registers pre-schools; DSWD handles NGOs and community providers.
LGUs implement local programs, support parent cooperatives, ensure compensation and good working conditions for service providers, and provide counterpart funds.
Families and communities support local ECCD through participation.

National ECCD Coordinating Council (Council for the Welfare of Children) under the Office of the President with key government secretaries as co-chairs and private ECCD experts.
The Council formulates policies, sets standards, monitors programs, coordinates agencies, and mobilizes resources.
Provincial, City/Municipal ECCD Coordinating Committees composed of local officials and NGO representatives coordinate delivery at their levels.
Barangay Council for the Protection of Children doubles as Barangay ECCD Coordinating Committee.

Community ECCD programs funded through public and private sources.
Government cost-sharing involves LGUs and national agencies.
Additional funds sourced from donors and financial institutions for poor municipalities.
The Council may create a trust fund to assist local governments.
Specific programs like prenatal care, day care, kindergarten continue with coordination among relevant agencies.
User fees for public programs are limited to affordable monthly contributions; parents encouraged to help with time and service.
Employer-supported workplace ECCD programs are encouraged and receive tax incentives provided no user fees are charged.

Initial annual appropriation of ₱400 million for five years sourced from PAGCOR gross income.
Supplemental ₱30 million from the President's Organizational Adjustment Fund.
Separate budgets for participating agencies with specified ECCD funds in the General Appropriations Act.

Annual report submission to Congress on the Council’s proceedings, accomplishments, and recommendations.

Separability clause ensures that invalid provisions do not affect the rest of the law.
Repealing clause nullifies conflicting laws, decrees, orders, or regulations.
Implementing rules to be issued within 90 days after effectivity by the Council and appropriate agencies.
Law takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or newspapers.