Cayetano lauds new law boosting care, education for young children

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May 19, 2025

3–5 minutes

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Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday welcomed the President’s signing of a new law aimed at strengthening early childhood care and development (ECCD), emphasizing that investing in the early years is crucial to shaping the country’s future.

“The highest return on investment is in early childhood,” Cayetano said.

“By focusing our efforts on the formative years, we lay a solid foundation for our children’s future and, consequently, for our nation’s progress,” he added.

Signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on May 9, Republic Act No. 12199 or the ‘Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System Act’ addresses critical gaps identified in the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2)’s Year Two report.

Among the law’s key measures are the professionalization and hiring of more Child Development Workers (CDWs) and Child Development Teachers (CDTs), a more integrated ECCD framework, and stronger nationwide oversight by the ECCD Council.

Local government units will be the main implementers of ECCD programs tailored to local needs, with funding allocations from the Local Government Support Fund.

The law’s goals include reducing child mortality, promoting all aspects of child development, preparing young learners for formal education, and providing early intervention for children with special needs.
Cayetano, who co-chairs EDCOM 2 and is a champion of anti-stunting programs, has long warned of the long-term impact of poor early childhood care on the learning outcomes of Filipino children.
“Unlike cases of malnutrition, where intervention can help a child recover, stunting is often permanent,” he said.

“Aanhin natin ang P6 trillion national budget kung one-third of our young population is unable to grow properly and succeed?” he stressed.

EDCOM 2’s report underscores that early care and education is pivotal in shaping a child’s development. Preschool attendance, for example, significantly boosts literacy and math scores by Grade 3.

However, the sector has long been the least funded in Philippine education.

According to EDCOM’s report, only 84 percent – compared to the ideal 94 percent – of Filipino children have access to at least one year of pre-primary education.

Also, out of the 240,000 ECCD professionals needed, only 6,788 are currently accredited.

The report also found that only 25 percent of children meet the Recommended Energy Intake, with one in three children under five stunted.

“Whatever we do now, that is what we will see in 2035, 2045, and 2050. And this law is a significant step toward securing a better future for generations to come,” Cayetano said.

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