Education Secretary Sonny Angara and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla led the formal signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 12199, or the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System Act, signaling a nationwide implementation of a strengthened and integrated early childhood system that expands access to health, nutrition, and quality early learning for children from birth to 8 years old.
The ceremonial signing held at the Quezon City Reception House operationalizes the government’s whole-of-government strategy to ensure continuity of early childhood education into basic education, while leveraging local government units (LGUs) in the delivery of community-based ECCD services.
“Kung seryoso tayong baguhin ang kinabukasan ng Pilipinas, kailangan nating magsimula sa ating mga pinakabatang kababayan. Dito nagsisimula ang tunay na nation-building,” said Angara, who co-authored the milestone legislation during his tenure in the Senate.
Citing UNESCO data, Angara highlighted that early childhood investments yield up to a 13% return through improved health outcomes and economic growth, emphasizing that supporting children in their earliest years remains the most effective strategy for securing the country’s long-term future.
The DepEd emphasizes that strengthening foundational learning begins long before a child enters formal schooling. By promoting early literacy and numeracy and holistic child development during the early years, the ECCD System Act lays the groundwork for improved learning outcomes throughout basic education.
Earlier, Secretary Angara led the Philippine delegation to the 14th ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting (ASED) in Singapore, where ASEAN Ministers of Education endorsed the Philippine-led ASEAN Declaration on Foundational Learning for approval of the 49th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in November 2026. Following its adoption, the Philippines will lead the development and implementation of the Declaration’s roadmap, reinforcing its commitment to advancing foundational learning across Southeast Asia.
The landmark event brought together key leaders across the executive and legislative branches, including the principal sponsors of RA 12199 alongside members of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2),
Also participating were member agencies of the ECCD Council, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), TESDA, Department of Agriculture (DA), and the National Nutrition Council (NNC).
The rollout comes alongside major gains in expanding access to quality early learning environments through the establishment of Child Development Centers (CDCs) in low-income LGUs. Backed by a PHP1-billion allocation under the Local Government Support Fund–Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (LGSF-FALGU), PHP741 million has already been released to 247 beneficiary barangays.
As of July 2026, 14 CDCs are fully completed, 113 are under active construction, and 106 are undergoing procurement.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the IRR provides clear guidelines for LGUs to institutionalize local ECCD offices, professionalize Child Development Workers through plantilla creation, and execute localized ECCD roadmaps aligned with the national strategy.
“Sa tulong ng IRR na ito, naniniwala akong lalo pang titibay ang ating mga programa at mas mapapalawak ang serbisyong maihahatid natin sa bawat batang Pilipino,” Angara also said.
