A party-list group has filed a bill making day care a permanent job with reasonable compensation and government support.
House Bill 1830 filed by Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Ray Florence Reyes cited the “integral role day care workers play in nation-building,” thus the need to protect their rights and provide them with livable wages.
HB 1830, also called the Magna Carta of Day Care Workers, mandated that day care be considered permanent position with just compensation and government support.
“This representation hopes that the State can provide our day care workers with proper compensation, training, and the necessary support such as plantilla positions and security of tenure, as they are a vital cog in the drive towards taking care of our children’s formative years,” Reyes said.
The bill details the creation and assignment of at least two plantilla positions in all day care centers nationwide.
It also urges the standardization of their compensation to Salary Grade 6 and 8, as well as the creation of a Special Personnel Selection Board (SPSB) which will screen and create a pool of 10 qualified candidates for possible appointment.
“Although the legal duty of guarding the young’s future falls under the parents and guardians, many of our children spend their early years in the hands of our day care workers. Thus, the bare minimum of providing them just compensation and rightful entitlement is well-deserved,” Reyes said.
The bill provided that day care workers enjoy benefits and privileges availed by government workers. These includes free legal services, free medical check-up and treatment, and access to alternative livelihood, loans, grants, and skill enhancement.
The proposed source of the salaries will be the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) and the Special Education Fund of the Local Government Unit (LGU), along with funds from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Early Childhood Care and Development Council (ECCDC).
Under Republic Act No. 6972 or the Barangay – Level Total Development and Protection of Children Act, day care workers only receive a measly allowance of at least P500 per month from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).