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Filipino children with disabilities have long faced unequal access to early childhood services. With the signing of Republic Act 12199, or the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Systems Act, the government takes a key step to close these gaps and support all children from the start.
The landmark legislation affirms the State’s responsibility to ensure the holistic development of children from birth to age eight. It mandates the ECCD System, which covers health, nutrition, education, and social services, to uphold inclusive and equitable standards.
Save the Children Philippines, through its participation in the Technical Working Group led by EDCOM II, advocated for the explicit inclusion of children with disabilities in the law. This includes provisions on reasonable accommodation, accessible environments, and respect for cultural and linguistic diversity.
"Children with disabilities often face delayed identification due to gaps in screening, social stigma, or lack of awareness among parents and frontline workers. These missed opportunities during early childhood have life-long consequences. This law addresses those gaps head-on," said Joy Sampang, Save the Children Philippines' ECCD Technical Advisor.
Under the new law, children with disabilities must be accommodated through the most appropriate languages and means of communication. They are also entitled to learning and play environments that maximize both academic and social development. This will be especially critical as Child Development Centers are established in every barangay across the country.
"We welcome the creation of Child Development Centers and ECCD offices across all provinces, cities, and municipalities. This opens the door to moving from separate, disconnected efforts toward an integrated, systems-focused ECCD model. We are offering our technical support to ensure that the provisions are effectively translated into action through the drafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulations," said Sampang.
Save the Children Philippines, with Save the Children Hong Kong and bioMérieux, currently implements “ABLE,” a pioneering inclusive ECCD initiative reaching over 1,700 children and their families in Taguig, Parañaque, and Pateros.
The project supports both mothers and fathers through parent-child sessions that promote responsive and inclusive care at home. To strengthen early detection, referral, and intervention, ECCD workers are trained in inclusive practices, and referral systems are established to connect families with the services they need.
Soon, the leading child’s rights organization will pilot a Conditional Cash Transfer scheme to help low-income families access assessments and early interventions.
"We are seeing encouraging results in our three program areas. Children are accessing services earlier, parents are more engaged, and local governments are showing increasing ownership. We hope to replicate these gains and experience nationwide," said Sampang.
In 2022, Save the Children Philippines championed Republic Act No. 11650, the "Inclusive Education Act," which laid the foundation for including children with disabilities in education and social services. The newly signed ECCD law builds on this by promoting inclusive care from birth, when intervention matters most.
To learn more about how Save the Children Philippines’ programs help improve access to quality education for all children, including those with disabilities, visit www.savethechildren.org.ph.#
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Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the Philippines and around the world, we do whatever it takes – every day and in times of crisis – so children can fulfill their rights to a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm. With over 100 years of expertise, we are the world’s first and leading independent children’s organization – transforming lives and the future we share.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Lei Tapang
Campaigns Manager
Save the Children Philippines
Mobile: +639 688 823 263
Email: lei.tapang@savethechildren.org