Section 7Sec./Art. 7

Implementing Arrangements and Operational Structures. The implementation of the National ECCD System shall be the responsibility of the ECCD Council.

(a) Responsibilities of the ECCD Council. The ECCD Council shall he responsible for establishing national standards, developing policies and programs, ensuring compliance thereof providing technical assistance and support to the ECCD service providers in consultation with coordinating committees at the provincial, city, municipal and barangay levels.

The Department of Education (DepED), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the National Nutrition Council (NNC) and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (HEAP) shall meet in an annual workshop to prepare work and financial plans that will coordinate their technical assistance and support for the National ECCD Program. They shall observe existing implementing guidelines that ensure consistency in integrated service delivery within the National ECCD System, as follows:

(1) The DepED shall recognize the National ECCD Program as the foundation of the learning continuum and shall promote it for all children from age zero (0) to four (4) years; and

(2) The DepED, the DSWD, the DOH and the NNC shall provide continuing professional development program support, supplementary learning materials, reference materials, supplemental nutrition and health care services.

(b) Responsibilities of Local Government Units. Local government units (LGUs) shall include allocations from their Special Education Fund (SEF) and Gender and Development (GAD) Fund in addition to other local funds to be utilized for the following purposes:

(1) Support the implementation of their ECCD Program;

(2) Organize and support parent cooperatives to establish community-based ECCD programs;

(3) Provide counterpart funds for the continuing professional development of their ECCD public service providers; and

(4) Provide the facilities for the conduct of their ECCD Program.

(c) Responsibilities of Families and Communities. Families and communities shall support the local ECCD programs by participating in various community-based projects such as, but not limited to, health, nutrition, social development and early childhood education projects for the overall development of their children from age zero (0) to four (4) years.