SECOND Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) welcomed the ceremonial signing of a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Early Childhood Care and Development Council (ECCDC).

Held at the TESDA Administration Building in Taguig City, the signing marks a pivotal step in the country’s efforts to uplift and professionalize Child Development Workers (CDWs), who play a vital role in the foundational stages of learning.

EDCOM 2 has been instrumental in advocating for this landmark agreement. Its Year One Report highlighted the pressing challenges faced by CDWs, revealing that nearly 17%—or 11,414 out of more than 68,000 CDWs nationwide—have attained only a high school education.

Additionally, a staggering 89% of CDWs remain in non-permanent positions, earning an average monthly salary of just around ₱5,000, with no job security or regular benefits. These findings were central to EDCOM 2’s call to strengthen the foundations of the education system, particularly in early childhood care and development.

The newly signed JMC formalizes the TESDA Board’s approval of the National Certificate III (NC III) for Child Development Workers—a key milestone toward their professionalization. This certification ensures that CDWs will undergo standardized training and assessment in accordance with TESDA’s Training Regulations for Early Childhood Education.

These new training regulations include essential competencies such as managing child development center operations, assessing children’s progress and development, and implementing the early childhood care and development curriculum.

A major win from EDCOM 2’s advocacy is the allocation of ₱80 million under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (RA 12116) for NC III training scholarships for CDWs. This funding is expressly recognized in the JMC as the foundation for the scholarship program.

The NC III certification aligns with the recently enacted ECCD System Act (Republic Act 12199), which mandates upgraded standards, better compensation, and continuous professional development for CDWs and Child Development Teachers.

To support the nationwide rollout of the new NC III program, TESDA has launched its Regional Lead Trainers’ Development Program to build a pool of qualified trainers across the regions.