ECCD ACT

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 8980 (ECCD Act)

Establishment of a National ECCD System
- Declares the policy of the State to promote the rights of children and support parents as primary caregivers and first teachers. (Section 2)
- Establishes a comprehensive, integrative, and sustainable National System for Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) involving multi-sectoral and inter-agency collaboration. (Section 2)
- Defines the objectives of the National ECCD System, including improving child survival rates, enhancing child development, supporting parents, facilitating transition to school, enhancing service providers' capabilities, sustaining community efforts, preparing children for formal learning, identifying developmental disorders, and improving program quality standards. (Section 3)
- Defines key terms such as ECCD System, ECCD Service Providers, ECCD Curriculum, and Parent Education. (Section 4)
- Outlines the components of the ECCD System, including ECCD Curriculum, Parent Education and Involvement, Human Resource Development Program, ECCD Management, and Quality Standards and Accreditation. (Section 5)
- Mandates the establishment of the National ECCD System in at least three regions each year to achieve national coverage within five years. (Section 6)

Implementation and Operational Structures
- Assigns responsibilities to national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), families, and communities for implementing the National ECCD System. (Section 7)
- Creates a National ECCD Coordinating Council under the Office of the President, with specified composition, functions, and secretariat. (Section 8)
- Establishes Provincial, City/Municipal, and Barangay ECCD Coordinating Committees, with specified composition, functions, and secretariats. (Section 8)

Financing ECCD Programs
- Mandates financing of ECCD programs through a combination of public and private funds, prioritizing young children from families in greatest need. (Section 9)
- Outlines public support for ECCD programs through cost-sharing arrangements involving LGUs and counterpart funds from national government agencies. (Section 9)
- Allows solicitation of support from local and international civic organizations and private philanthropic foundations. (Section 9)
- Permits corporations and employers to support workplace-based ECCD programs and deduct operating costs from taxable income, provided no user fees are charged. (Section 9)
- Limits user fees for public programs to monthly contributions intended to subsidize recurrent costs, encouraging parents to contribute time and services if unable to afford regular contributions. (Section 9)

Appropriations and Reporting
- Appropriates Four hundred million pesos (P400,000,000.00) per year for five years from the gross income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and a supplementary appropriation of Thirty million pesos (P30,000,000.00) from the President's Organizational Adjustment Fund. (Section 10)
- Requires the Council to submit an annual report to Congress detailing its proceedings, accomplishments, and recommendations. (Section 11)

Other Provisions
- Includes a separability clause, repealing clause, and provisions for implementing rules and regulations. (Sections 12-14)
- Specifies the effectivity date of the Act. (Section 15)