The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) today welcomed the ceremonial signing of the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council. This significant event, held at the TESDA Administration Building, Taguig City, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s efforts to uplift and professionalize its Child Development Workers (CDWs), who are vital to the foundational stages of learning.
EDCOM 2 has played a significant role in advocating for this landmark agreement. The Commission’s Year One Report had previously illuminated the pressing challenges faced by CDWs, revealing that nearly 17% (or 11,414) of the over 68,000 CDWs nationwide have only a high school education. Furthermore, a staggering 89% remain in non-permanent positions, earning an average monthly salary of just around PhP 5,000, which leaves them without job security or regular benefits. These findings were central to EDCOM 2’s urgent call to “fix the foundations” of the education system, emphasizing the critical role of early childhood care and development (ECCD).
The newly signed JMC solidifies the official approval by the TESDA Board of the National Certificate (NC) III for Child Development Workers. This certification is a crucial step towards their professionalization, ensuring that CDWs will undergo standardized training and assessment in line with TESDA’s Training Regulations for Early Childhood Education. The new training regulations will cover essential competencies, including managing child development center operations, conducting assessments on the progress and development of children, and implementing the early childhood care and development curriculum.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson, underscored the initiative’s importance, stating, “The upskilling and reskilling of our CDWs are crucial to boost their professionalization, and improve the delivery and quality of ECCD programs and services”. He further elaborated, “By giving our CDWs the right tools, training, and compensation, we can help them become more effective in performing their duties to strengthen the foundations of our learners”.
A significant achievement of EDCOM 2’s advocacy is the PhP 80 million earmarked in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (RA 12116) for NC III training scholarships for CDWs. This crucial funding is explicitly recognized in the JMC as the basis for the Scholarship Program.
The new NC III certification aligns seamlessly with the recently enacted ECCD System Act (Republic Act 12199), which mandates upgraded standards, higher compensation, and continuous development for CDWs and Child Development Teachers (CDTs).
TESDA Secretary and former EDCOM 2 Commissioner Kiko Benitez affirmed, “Our youngest learners need immense help and support to achieve their potential. The CDWs play a critical role in that process. Through this JMC, parents and guardians can be confident that we will have competent CDWs in our child care centers.”
Rep. Roman Romulo, also an EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson, echoed this sentiment, asserting, “As I have stated before, we cannot solve the learning crisis without first strengthening its foundation. And the CDWs are at the frontlines. They play a vital role in shaping future generations. Empowering our CDWs through enhanced training, support systems, and professional growth opportunities is an investment in the holistic development of our youngest citizens.”
To ensure the effective rollout of the new NC III program, TESDA has already launched its Regional Lead Trainers’ Development Program, aimed at building a pool of qualified trainers across the regions to facilitate these new training regulations.
EDCOM 2 is proud to have contributed to this transformative collaboration, which is set to empower Child Development Workers and significantly strengthen the foundational stages of learning for every Filipino child.
