SENATE President Sherwin Gatchalian has urged the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to immediately mobilize local government units (LGUs) for the implementation of early childhood care and development (ECCD) programs for children below five years old.

Gatchalian made the call during the Senate Committee on Finance hearing on the proposed 2027 budget of the DILG and its attached agencies, including the ECCD Council.

The Senate leader said that although the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Early Childhood Care and Development System Act, or Republic Act No. 12199, were signed in August, LGUs have yet to receive guidance on how to operationalize the law.

He called for the issuance of a DILG memorandum circular directing local governments on how to carry out their responsibilities under the law.

Under RA 12199, LGUs are mandated to deliver ECCD programs and establish ECCD offices under the supervision of local chief executives.

Gatchalian noted that the country’s current ECCD participation rate stands at only 33%, while the target for 2027 is 40%.

He stressed that achieving the target will require the active participation of LGUs in delivering early childhood services nationwide.