A Filipino legislator said on Thursday that the recently signed 'Early Childhood Care and Development System Act' (Republic Act No. 12199) by President Marcos Jr. will help reduce infant mortality rates and ensure health and nutritional care from pregnancy to early childhood.
Las Piñas City Representative Camille Villar welcomed the passage of the new law. She said, "This law will strengthen the government's policies on early childhood development. I am pleased that this law is finally in effect."
As one of the main proponents of the bill in the House of Representatives, Villar stated that the new law will ensure that infants and young children, as well as their parents or guardians, receive proper health and nutrition services from prenatal to early childhood stages.
She noted, "The development from birth to toddler stage is extremely important. Unfortunately, many Filipino families are unable to fully meet these developmental needs for various reasons."
Villar emphasized that Republic Act No. 12199 aims to ensure and promote the overall well-being, growth, and meticulous care of every child, in line with their developmental needs at each age stage.
According to the new law, the government promises to create an environment conducive to children's growth, promote sustainable health and nutrition programs, provide age-appropriate development opportunities and special protection, and fully recognize the unique nature of childhood.
The law also specifies that local governments are responsible for implementing the primary tasks, including establishing childhood care offices, drafting formal positions for child development teachers and workers, and providing necessary resource support.
To address longstanding issues of employment shortages and low salaries among practitioners, the new law also mandates professionalization of child development work, establishing qualifications, training, certification, and salary standards.
According to preliminary unofficial results from Thursday afternoon's election, Villar is expected to enter the Senate in the 20th Congress.
Las Piñas City Representative Camille Villar welcomed the passage of the new law. She said, "This law will strengthen the government's policies on early childhood development. I am pleased that this law is finally in effect."
As one of the main proponents of the bill in the House of Representatives, Villar stated that the new law will ensure that infants and young children, as well as their parents or guardians, receive proper health and nutrition services from prenatal to early childhood stages.
She noted, "The development from birth to toddler stage is extremely important. Unfortunately, many Filipino families are unable to fully meet these developmental needs for various reasons."
Villar emphasized that Republic Act No. 12199 aims to ensure and promote the overall well-being, growth, and meticulous care of every child, in line with their developmental needs at each age stage.
According to the new law, the government promises to create an environment conducive to children's growth, promote sustainable health and nutrition programs, provide age-appropriate development opportunities and special protection, and fully recognize the unique nature of childhood.
The law also specifies that local governments are responsible for implementing the primary tasks, including establishing childhood care offices, drafting formal positions for child development teachers and workers, and providing necessary resource support.
To address longstanding issues of employment shortages and low salaries among practitioners, the new law also mandates professionalization of child development work, establishing qualifications, training, certification, and salary standards.
According to preliminary unofficial results from Thursday afternoon's election, Villar is expected to enter the Senate in the 20th Congress.