PASAY CITY -- Senator Win Gatchalian hailed the Senate’s third reading approval of a bill that seeks to strengthen parenting skills, a measure that would boost effective parental involvement in children’s education, growth and development.

Senate Bill No. 2399 or the “The Parent Effectiveness Service Program Act,” establishes the Parent Effectiveness Service (PES) Program to strengthen the knowledge and skills of parents and parent-substitutes in responding to their parental duties and responsibilities. The PES program also aims to assist parents in promoting the protection of children’s rights, fostering positive early childhood development, and advancing educational progress.

“Ang ating mga magulang ang una nating mga guro at nananatili silang katuwang ng ating mga paaralan at mga komunidad pagdating sa pagpapalaki at paghubog ng karakter ng mga kabataan. Sa pamamagitan ng Parent Effectiveness Service Program, paiigtingin natin ang kakayahan ng mga magulang na tugunan ang pangangailangan ng kanilang mga anak at isulong ang kanilang kapakanan,” said Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

The PES Program will be implemented in every city and municipality. In implementing the program, local government units (LGUs) shall prioritize parents and parent substitutes with vulnerable children such as children at risk, children in conflict with the law, and children who have been exposed to or involved in violence in their homes and communities. Solo parents and parent substitutes, as well as adolescent parents and their parents or parent-substitutes will also be prioritized in the program. 

Gatchalian is the principal author of the proposed measure, which was inspired by Valenzuela City’s Nanay-Teacher Program. The program, which was implemented with the help of Synergeia Foundation, started as part of Gatchalian’s education advocacy when he was Mayor of Valenzuela.

Gatchalian also thanked Senator Risa Hontiveros, Chairperson of the Committee on Women, Children, and Family Relations, who sponsored the measure. (OSWG)