The laws that protect our children

CEBU, Philippines - What are the laws regarding Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD)?

On the international level, ECCD is supported by The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child. In this document, adopted by UN Member states in 1959, governments are urged to enact laws that protect children and provide them with resources in areas, such as nutrition, education, safety, housing, and medical services.

In the Philippines, the Republic Act 6972, also known as the “Barangay Level Total Protection of Children Act”, was passed in 1990.

This act requires all local government units to establish a daycare center in every barangay. This act institutionalized parts of the day care program that provide for children’s learning needs as well as health (immunization, nutrition status monitoring, prenatal care) and psychosocial needs (e.g. attend to abused children). 

In 2000, the Philippines enacted Republic Act 8980, which promulgates a comprehensive policy and national system for ECCD. This act, also called the “ECCD Act”, is the policy of the country to promote the rights of children in survival, development, and special protection. It recognizes the nature of childhood and its special needs as well as supports parents in their roles as primary care givers and as their children’s first teachers.

The National ECCD Framework puts the child’s needs and development at the center. It recognizes the interrelatedness of the aspects of a child’s development and requires that all groups: family, community, and various national and local government agencies in the ECCD program work together in the following areas: a) ECCD curriculum; b) parent education, advocacy, community mobilization; c) human resource development program; d) program management; and e) quality standards and accreditation.