THE HOUSE Committee on Welfare of Children has created a technical working group to consolidate 15 bills to institute the Magna Carta of Day Care Workers/ Child Development Workers.

The panel headed by Barangay Healthworkers Party-list Rep. Angelica Natasha Co is working on the bills authored by Reps. Mikaela Angela Suansing, Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Divina Grace Yu, Bernadette ‘BH’ Herrera, Ray Florence Reyes, Jeyzel Victoria Yu, Bai Dimple Mastura, Stella Luz Quimbo, Linabelle Ruth Villarica, Deputy Speaker Camille Villar, Reps. Arlene Brosas, Reynante Arrogancia, Lianda Bolilia, Jason Almonte and Gus Tambunting.

The committee also agreed to conduct technical consultation with agencies concerned to fine tune the bills.

Co said that despite their crucial and immense work, child development workers do not enjoy the benefits and protection given to regular employees.

“Moreover, the allowances given to them are inadequate and unsustainable,” she added.

She cited DSWD data showing that many of the 67,733 child development workers were casual or contractual employees.

“The various measures lodged before the committee aim to adopt policies that would improve the socio-economic welfare, as well as protect the rights and enhance the dignity of child development workers,” Co said.