SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian is urging current child development workers (CDWs) to take the recently approved National Certificate III on Early Childhood Care and Development.

Gatchalian has proposed allocating P80 million under TESDA’s 2025 budget to fund scholarships for incumbent CDWs, especially those whose highest educational attainment is high school or lower.

The Early Childhood Care and Development System Act (Republic Act No. 12199) mandates incumbent CDWs to undergo upskilling and secure certification from TESDA. The assessment and certification will be provided free of charge.

The law also allows senior high school graduates and high school graduates with two years of tertiary education to become CDWs, provided they pass TESDA’s certification.

To ensure alignment with RA 12199, the Department of Budget and Management and the Civil Service Commission will revise the job titles and qualification standards for Day Care Workers I and II.