Section 8Sec./Art. 8

Strengthening the ECCD Council. - The ECCD Council shall be strengthened to ensure the State's focus on building a strong foundation for the development and learning of children below five (5) years of age, to support the full range of health, nutrition, early childhood education, and social development programs for the child;s holistic development, and to sustained interagency and multisectoral collaboration.

The ECCD Council, which shall be attached to the DILG, shall be composed of the following:

(1) Secretary of the DILG, as ex-officio Co-Chairperson for Local Government Mobilization and Overall Implementation;

(2) Secretary of the DepEd, as ex officio Co-Chairperson for ECCD Curriculum and all matters related to early childhood education;

(3) Executive Director of the ECCD Council Secretariat, as ex officio Vice Chairperson;

(4) Secretary of the DA, as ex officio member;

(5) Secretary of the DOH, as ex officio member;

(6) Secretary of the DSWD, as ex officio member;

(7) Chairperson of the CHED, as ex officio member;

(8) Director General of the TESDA, as ex officio member;

(9) Executive Director of the NNC, as ex officio member;

(10) Early childhood education expert or practitioner; and

(11) Representatives from the academe specializing in early childhood education.

The ECCD Council shall meet quarterly or upon the call of the Co-Chairpersons or three (3) members of the ECCD Council.