House panel OKs bill creating Magna Carta of Day Care Workers

A measure seeking to establish a Magna Carta of Day Care Workers has hurdled the committee level at the House of Representatives. (Photo: House of Representatives of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA—A measure seeking to establish a Magna Carta of Day Care Workers has hurdled the committee level at the House of Representatives.

According to a statement on Friday, the House committee on the welfare of children chaired by Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Divina Grace Yu has approved a substitute bill consolidating 15 measures, all of which aim to improve the social and and economic well-being of day care workers.

The bill provides for the creation of at least one Day Care Worker I and one Day Care Worker II plantilla positions — entitled to Salary Grade 6 and Salary Grade 8, respectively — in all day care centers nationwide.

The bill also states that day care workers shall receive additional compensation, such as overtime pay, hazard allowance and subsistence allowance.

Furthermore, the bill provides that all day care workers shall automatically become members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth.

The bill seeks the creation of a Special Personnel Selection Board (SPSB) for day care worker positions to screen candidates and create a pool of 10 qualified applicants for possible appointment to the positions.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), will be mandated to provide for a system of continuing education and skills training and knowledge enhancement programs for day care workers.

Likewise, the bill encourages NGOs or private volunteer organizations to assist or support the government in the implementation of programs and projects for day care workers. As such, day care centers shall be allowed to accept any assistance or support from NGOs.

The amount necessary to cover the salaries and benefits of day care workers shall be charged from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) and the Special Education Fund of LGUs concerned.