THE Committee on Welfare of Children at the House of Representatives has approved a bill that seeks to strengthen the early childhood care and development system in the country.

The panel headed by BHW Party-list Rep. Angelica Natasha Co agreed to endorse for plenary deliberations the measure that will replace House Bills 3307 and 4319, authored by Camarines Norte Rep. Josefina Tallado and Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting.

Co said that the bill seeks to secure not only the future of millions of Filipino children, but also the rights of child development workers such as tenure security, humane working conditions, living wage, and health and social benefits.

“It is incumbent upon us, members of the public sector, through the help of our partners in the private sector, to provide the child development workers of the proper compensation, renumeration and job security that they truly deserve,” she said.

Under the measure, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, Authority of the Freeport of Bataan, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and other operators, licensors and regulators will contribute P500 million every year for five years.

The amount will be used to fund the establishment of the National Child Development Centers and convert daycare centers into child development centers in various local government units.