The people who teach Bislig's youngest children in barangay day care centers now have their own local code. City Ordinance No. 2026-24, the Child Development Workers' Code of the City of Bislig, sets their qualifications, duties, pay, and protection from arbitrary removal.
When it was passed
The Sangguniang Panlungsod enacted it on August 18, 2026, during its 57th regular session, and Mayor Florencio C. Garay approved it on September 2, 2026. It took effect immediately. The measure was authored by Councilor Pedrito R. Sulapas and sponsored by Councilors Romeo F. Cacayan, Bernadeth May R. Almanon-Balondo and Alfredo J. Carmelo, with Vice Mayor Conrad C. Cejoco.
The ordinance localizes Republic Act No. 12199, the national Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System Act.
New names
Under the ordinance, Day Care Workers in Bislig are now called Child Development Workers (CDWs), and Day Care Centers are now Child Development Centers (CDCs). The city says the change is administrative and does not reduce any existing pay, benefits or tenure. City offices and barangays are directed to update their records, forms and signage.
Who can be a child development worker
The minimum qualifications include being a Filipino citizen and a resident of Bislig, aged 21 to 65, with at least some college education. Applicants must hold ECCD NC III accreditation and pass TESDA's Competency Assessment Program for Child Development Workers, have three years of experience teaching preschoolers, and submit yearly medical tests. Anyone convicted of child abuse, exploitation, violence against women and children or trafficking is disqualified. One year after the ordinance's approval, every CDW must undergo level one assessment and licensing.
Hiring is done by the city mayor through the Human Resource Management Office, on the recommendation of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
What they do
CDWs serve children aged 0 to 4. The code requires them to report to their center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on working days and hold at least one session a day, five days a week, with 15 to 30 children per session. Their duties also include keeping enrollment, health and nutrition records, running parent education sessions, making home visits when needed, and reporting child abuse or neglect. A one-month on-the-job training at the National Child Development Center in Core 2, Purok 16, Barangay Poblacion is required.
Pay and separation benefits
For CDWs under contract of service, the city's minimum monthly honorarium depends on accreditation level:
- Level 1: P10,000
- Level 2: P11,500
- Level 3: P12,500
Workers aged 60 to 64 who retire receive P20,000 in separation pay. Those 65 and above receive P25,000.
Protection from political replacement
The ordinance states that no CDW can be removed, replaced or transferred solely because of a change in local administration, political affiliation or election results. Removal is allowed only for listed causes such as child abuse, falsified records, unauthorized collection of fees from parents, misuse of funds, or habitual absence, and only after written notice and a chance to respond. Penalties run from a written reprimand, to a 15 to 30 day suspension, to dismissal on a third offense.
The budget
The city appropriated P9 million for the first year. The budget table lists 28 CDWs at P11,500 a month and 29 at P10,000 a month, P275,000 for 11 workers at P25,000 each, P331,000 for training, P150,000 for Day Care Workers Week and P900,000 in contingency.
Barangays are also tasked with keeping their centers safe and sanitary, and may hire a teacher aide if their budget allows. The CSWDO and the City ECCD Committee have 90 days from effectivity to issue implementing rules.
Source: City of Bislig, Sangguniang Panlungsod Ordinance No. 2026-24 (enacted August 18, 2026; approved September 2, 2026), published on the city's Ordinances 2026 page at bislig.gov.ph.