SENATOR Joel Villanueva has filed a measure that aims to strengthen the Barangay Day Care System.

Senate Bill 930 seeks to amend Republic Act 6972 or the Barangay-level Total Development and Protection of Children Act.

In particular, the measure will address the lack of and accessibility to day care centers and expand the opportunities for women to seek employment by strengthening the mandate of day care centers.

It will ensure that day care services are available for the whole duration of the work hours of the working parents and an additional two hours to account for the travel time of the parent to the day care center to fetch their children, and provide child care financial assistance to parents who are minimum wage earners.

The bill also seeks to bridge the gender gap between men and women with regard to child care by clarifying that child care services are available to children of working parents and not merely to working mothers.

Under the measure, P50 million shall be appropriated for the first year of implementation of the law.