The House of Representatives unanimously approved on third and final reading House Bill 6550 which seeks to institutionalize the “Magna Carta of Day Care Workers.”
The bill otherwise known as the “Magna Carta of Day Care Workers” covers all day care workers also referred to as child development workers in Republic Act No. 10410 or the “Early Years Act (EYA) of 2013”.
Day care workers refer to persons primarily engaged in the provision of early child development services and programs such as care, education, protection, social development, and other needs of children aged four years old and below in all government-sponsored day care centers.
The bill provides for the creation of at least one Day Care Worker I and one Day Care Worker II plantilla positions in all day care centers nationwide.
Day care workers, as plantilla position holders, shall be appointed under permanent status; protected and governed by civil service rules and regulations; and not be removed or transferred from office without just cause, due process, or prior consultation with the concerned day care worker.
To qualify for the position of Day Care Worker I with Salary Grade of 6, one must be of legal age; must have completed at least two years of college education; must be certified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or DSWD-deputized entities to have complied with existing requisites and training in early childhood care and development; must not have been convicted by final judgment of any crime; and must not have a pending case in relation to Republic Act No. 7610, otherwise known as the “Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act”.
A day care worker possessing the same qualifications for the position of Day Care Worker I including five years of working experience and at least 12 hours of relevant training shall be hired to the position of Day Care Worker II with Salary Grade 8.
A day care worker is required to render eight working hours a day or a total of 40 working hours a week provided that the local social welfare and development officer (LSWDO) may require day care workers to render services beyond their required working hours during emergency situations such as natural and man-made calamities.
The bill seeks the creation of a Special Personnel Selection Board (SPSB) to screen candidates and create a pool of 10 qualified applicants for possible appointment to the subject positions.
The SPSB shall be composed of the local social welfare and development officer as chairperson, and the punong barangay, local health officer, human resource management officer, and local government unit (LGU) first level representatives as members.
Whenever applicable, day care workers shall be provided additional compensation such as overtime pay, hazard allowances, and subsistence allowance.
Likewise, they are entitled to additional benefits and privileges such as free legal services, free medical examination and treatment and access to livelihood, loans, grants and skills enhancement and same municipality or city assignment for married couples who are both day care workers.
All day care workers shall automatically become members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth and shall be entitled to maternity/paternity, sick, and vacation leaves as provided for by existing laws.
The bill mandates the DSWD, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TEDA) to provide for a system of continuing education and skills training and knowledge enhancement programs for day care workers.
Authors of the bill are Deputy Speakers Romero Quimbo and Linabelle Ruth Villarica, Reps. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, Rosenda Ann Ocampo, Lawrence Fortun, Romeo Acop, Estrellita Suansing, Horacio Suansing, Jr., Yedda Marie Romualdez, Sol Aragones, Julieta Cortuna, Peter Unabia, Strike Revilla, Bernadette Herrera-Dy, Maximo Rodriguez, Jr., Arlene Brosas, Emmi De Jesus, Carlos Isagani Zarate, Antonio Tinio, France Castro, Ariel Casilao, Sarah Jane Elago, Winston Castelo, Alexandria Gonzales, Jose Panganiban, Jr., Micaela Violago, Deogracias Victor Savellano, Anna Marie Villaraza-Suarez, Maria Vida Bravo, Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado, Carmelo Lazatin, Celso Lobregat, Marlyn Alonte, Makmod Mending, Jr., Manuel Monsour Del Rosario III, Salvador Belaro, Jr., Greg Gasataya, Pablo Ortega, Michael Romero, John Marvin Nieto, Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Wilter Wee Palma, Dale Malapitan, Lianda Bolilia, Johnny Ty Pimentel, Jose Enrique Garcia, Tricia Nicole Velasco-Catera, Emmanuel Madrona, Divina Grace Yu, Alberto Ungab, Vicente Veloso, Aniceto Bertiz III, Jericho Jonas Nograles, Richard Eusebio, Frederick Siao, Ma. Lucille Nava, Ma. Theresa Collantes, Lorna Bautista-Bandigan, Leopoldo Bataoil, Alfredo Garbin, Jr., Angelina Tan, Joseph Sto. Niño Bernos, Cesar Sarmiento, Edgar Mary Sarmiento, Vilma Santos-Recto, Cristina Roa-Puno, Ma. Lourdes Aggabao, Roger Mercado, Manuel Jose Dalipe, Gus Tambunting, Karlo Alexei Nograles, Joey Sarte Salceda, Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo, Ana Cristina Go, Mark Aeron Sambar, Jorge Almonte, Isagani Amatong, Arlene Arcillas, Kaka Bag-ao, Evelina Escudero, Mark Go, Virgilio Lacson, CArlito Marquez, Teodoro Montoro, Manuel Zubiri, Christopher De Venecia and Gary Alejano. (HOR-PR)
