DIRECTING NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND GOVERNMENT-OWNED AND -CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS TO PROVIDE DAY CARE SERVICES FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES’ CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE

WHEREAS, Section 12, Article II of the Constitution provides that the State
recognizes the sanctity of the family as a basic autonomous social institution
and shall support the natural and primary right and duty of parents in the
rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and development of moral character;

WHEREAS, in July 1990, the Philippines ratified the Convention on the Rights
of the Child, Article 18(2) and (3) of which provides that State Parties shall
render appropriate assistance to parents and legal guardians in the performance
of their child-rearing responsibilities, ensure the development of
institutions, facilities and services for the care of children and take
appropriate measures to ensure that children of working parents have the right
to benefit from the child care services and facilities for which they are
eligible;

WHEREAS, Section 31, Chapter 5, Subtitle A, Title 1, Book V of Executive
Order 292, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987, requires that
provisions for employees welfare be established in each government entity to be
integrated into the agency’s career and personnel development plan;

WHEREAS, the provision of child care services will not only be beneficial to
the children and their mothers but also to government with the eventual
improved performance and minimal absenteeism of employees due to problems
related to child care.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL
V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by
virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order and direct the
following:

SECTION 1. Day Care Services and Their Coverage. All National Government Agencies
and Government-Owned and-Controlled Corporations shall provide day care
services to children of their employees under five years ago. These services
shall be provided either within their office facilities or in the areas
accessible and/or acceptable to the parents. Such services shall accommodate
children, aged 5 years and below, of employees with no competent household
help.

SEC. 2. Objectives of the Services. To
ensure that the employee’s children shall enjoy the following opportunities and
benefits:

1. Proper care and nutrition to
become physically fit;

2. Development of social,
mental, intellectual skills;

3. Spiritual, socio-cultural and
nationalistic values as well as the development of strong positive attitudes
towards God, the family, the environment and the society in general; and

4. Substitute parenting and
protection from all forms of neglect. abuse and exploitation while the parent
is at work.

SEC. 3. Lead Agency. In view of the agency’s expertise in the establishment of day care
service, the Department of Social Welfare and Development is hereby tasked to:

1. Formulate the implementing
guidelines for this Executive Order;

2. Disseminate the guidelines to
all government offices concerned within one (1) month from approval of this
Order;

3. Provide technical assistance
in collaboration with relevant government and non-government agencies through
training, assessment and monitoring visits; and

4. License and accredit the
services, facilities and day care workers.

SEC. 4. Source of Funding. National Government Agencies and Government-Owned and -Controlled
Corporations (GOCCs) shall charge their expenses for the provision and
maintenance of day care centers, including manpower requirements and materials,
to the Gender and Development (GAD) funds from their Employees’ Suggestions and
Incentives Awards System (ESIAS) funds for human resource development. These
offices may mobilize the resources of non-government, private and international
agencies in the development of materials, improvement of facilities and
enrichment of the curriculum in coordination with the Department of Social
Welfare and Development.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 5th day of February in the year of Our
Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Seven.

(Sgd.) FIDEL
V. RAMOS
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) RUBEN D. TORRES
Executive Secretary

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