WHEREAS, the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) was created under Presidential Decree No. 603, and Executive Order No. 233 (s. 1986) expanded its functions, as the national policy and program coordinating body for the promotion of the rights and welfare of children;

WHEREAS, Republic Act (RA) 8980 provides for the establishment of the National Early Childhood Care and Development Coordinating Council (NECCDCC) which institutionalized a national system for a comprehensive, integrative and sustainable collaboration for the promotion of physical, social, emotional, cognitive, psychological and spiritual growth and development of young children;

WHEREAS, Section 1 of Executive Order No. 778 (s. 2009) provides for the transformation of the CWC into the Early Childhood Care and Development Council (ECCDC) attached to the Office of the President to support the implementation of the full range of health, nutrition, early education and social services programs for the basic needs of young children from birth to age (6) and to promote their optimum growth and development;

WHEREAS, EO 778 also provides for the transfer to the DSWD of the functions and staff of the then CWC now ECCD Council which were not part of ECCD;

WHEREAS, there is a need to designate a focal agency separate and distinct from the DSWD that will formulate, advocate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of national policies, laws and programs for the development and protection of children (below 18 years) consistent with the country鈥檚 international treaty obligations and national frameworks on children;

WHEREAS, the 1987 Revised Administrative Code of the Philippines vests power in the President to reorganize the national government.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. Early Childhood Care and Development Council (ECCD Council). - The ECCD Council shall continue to function as contemplated under EO 778. It shall be the principal agency to implement the government鈥檚 early childhood care and development programs such as health, nutrition and early education for children from birth to age six (0-6 years).

Section 2. Council for the Welfare of Children. - The Council for the Welfare of Children shall continue to function and exercise the same powers pursuant to the provisions of PD 603 and EO 233 (s. 1986). It shall be composed of the same agencies and organizations as identified in EO 233 (s. 1986), with the Secretary of Social Welfare and Development as the Chairperson. It shall be attached to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Section 3. Repealing Clause. - All executive orders, rules and regulations and other parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Order are hereby revoked, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 4. Effectivity. - This Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 8^th day of June, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Nine.


By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary