SENATOR Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has filed a measure seeking to institutionalize a Magna Carta for Day Care Workers, which aims to provide better compensation, job security, and benefits for thousands of early childhood care providers across the country.

Filed as Senate Bill No. 1293, the proposed law seeks to uplift the welfare and professional status of Child Development Workers—commonly known as day care workers—who play a vital role in nurturing children during their formative years.

“Early childhood education lays the foundation for lifelong learning, cognitive development, and social integration,” Go said in his explanatory note.

“Yet despite their invaluable contribution, many day care workers remain among the most underrecognized and undercompensated members of the public workforce,” he added.

According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, there are currently 67,733 day care workers nationwide, including 6,307 volunteers who receive little to no pay despite providing essential services to their communities.

Under the proposed Magna Carta, day care workers in government-run centers will be entitled to standardized salaries, leave benefits, medical coverage, and social protection.

The bill also mandates an eight-hour workday or a 40-hour workweek, with provisions for overtime during emergencies such as natural calamities.

Day care workers will be protected from unjust transfer or termination, ensuring that no worker is reassigned without prior notice or consent. They will also be entitled to maternity/paternity, sick, and vacation leave, and may avail of study leave for exemplary performance.

The measure further provides for free medical examinations and treatment in government hospitals, especially for those suffering from work-related illnesses. All qualified day care workers will be automatically enrolled in the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and will receive a one-step salary grade increase upon retirement, which will serve as the basis for computing their retirement benefits.