The provenance and oldest chamber fully supports ECCD System Act

THE Chamber backs Republic Act (RA) 12199, titled the "Early Childhood Care and Development System Act," signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on May 8, 2025.

FOCUS ON CHILD CARE The Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands (CCPI) expresses support for the newly signed law that boosts child care for ages zero to five. PHOTO FROM CCPI

This new legislation aligns closely with the chamber's Economic Compass Pillars 5 (Ecomp-P5) advocacy, particularly with "Pillar 1: The Filipino & Education, Compass: Top of the World."

Mission A: Best education

Every Filipino has access to the best education system in academics, critical thinking, new technology and other fields, including universal family and moral values, Philippine cultural values, ethics, good manners and right conduct. They must be correctly bilingual in Filipino, English and another dialect or language.

In addition to having top-notch Philippine and International teachers and teaching methods, all forms of media (TV, radio, newsprint, social media, internet, artificial intelligence, etc.) are harnessed not primarily for entertainment but also as part of education methods to instill knowledge, proper attitudes and cultural mindsets to excel in life and in one's chosen profession.

Mission B: Quality health

Every Filipino is taught health care and well-being, and has access to both throughout their lifetime with focus on nutritious feeding from conception to five years of age to prevent stunted growth.

The implementation of this new law is very crucial. The chamber urges both the national and local government units (LGUs) to reinforce RA 12199 and ensure it is exercised effectively with proper funding, coordination and measurable impact at the grassroots level.

The chamber also calls for absolute support to the ECCD Council and active engagement of LGUs to deliver holistic programs in education, health and social development that reach every Filipino child.

Chamber President Jose Luis Yulo Jr. expresses his full support for RA 12199 and emphasized its vital role in ensuring that all Filipino children, especially those from conception to age five, receive the education, care and nutrition they need to thrive and grow into healthy, capable and productive citizens.

Consistent with the chamber's economic compass, this law will help the Philippines to "rebuild its glorious past and navigate the future" by investing in our most valuable resource — our children. By nurturing well-developed, healthy and educated young Filipinos today, we are securing a prosperous tomorrow for our nation.