THE IMPLEMENTING Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 12199, or the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System Act, was officially signed on Wednesday, paving the way for the full implementation of reforms aimed at improving services for young Filipino children.

The IRR was signed by the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the ECCD Council Secretariat, establishing the framework for implementing the law.

The measure seeks to strengthen coordination among national government agencies and local government units, improve the quality of early childhood services, and ensure that Filipino children receive proper nutrition, healthcare, early learning, and developmental support during their formative years.

The signing comes a year after the implementing guidelines were originally expected to be issued, delaying the rollout of key reforms. The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) had repeatedly underscored the urgency of releasing the IRR, saying efforts to address the country’s education crisis must begin with stronger early childhood care and development programs and better coordination among government agencies and local governments.

EDCOM 2’s findings have highlighted longstanding gaps in the country’s early childhood development system. Citing the 2024 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey, the commission noted that thousands of barangays still lack Child Development Centers, while participation in ECCD programs among children aged three to four remains lowest among the poorest households.

The commission also pointed out that many Child Development Workers continue to receive low compensation despite serving as children’s first educators, while fragmented governance has hampered the efficient delivery of ECCD services.

These concerns come amid a recent report by the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), which showed that the stunting rate among Filipino children under five years old increased to 25.3 percent, marking the first rise in a decade.

Under the new law, the responsibilities of national government agencies and local government units are clearly defined to promote a whole-of-government approach to early childhood development.

The law also strengthens quality standards for Child Development Centers and Child Development Workers, expands access to ECCD services, and reinforces the role of parents and communities in supporting children’s growth and development.

EDCOM 2 has consistently identified early childhood care and development as one of its top reform priorities, emphasizing that improving learning outcomes must begin long before children enter Kindergarten. Studies have shown that children who participate in quality preschool programs perform better in literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional development throughout their schooling.