THE SENATE has passed a measure strengthening the early childhood education system.

Senate Bill No. 2575, or the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Act, was approved on third and final reading.

The bill aims to further strengthen the early childhood education system by including the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the ECCD Council’s Governing Board, establishing scholarship programs, and providing plantilla positions for Child Development Teachers and Workers nationwide.

Previous Congressional Commission on Education findings revealed that 89% of child development workers were on non-permanent contracts, earning an average of only P5,000 per month.

“This measure represents a massive reform in early childhood education. Early childhood is perhaps the most important phase of a child’s educational journey, and this bill ensures its proper implementation in localities, alongside health and welfare reforms,” said Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, co-author and co-sponsor of the measure.

EDCOM 2 Commissioner Senator Joel Villanueva, also a co-author and co-sponsor, expressed his support.

“Through this measure, we are improving ECCD program implementation, which will cover health, nutrition, early childhood education, and social development for children under five years old. As an advocate of lifelong learning, I want to ensure that TESDA plays an active role in the professional development of child development workers through relevant training programs,” Villanueva said.

The bill was co-authored by EDCOM 2 Commissioners Gatchalian, Villanueva, and Legarda in the Senate.